Hurricane warnings issued for all 3 counties on P.E.I. as Fiona nears
CBC
Environment Canada made it official early Friday: Hurricane Fiona will almost certain slam into Prince Edward Island as a storm with Category 1 winds and torrential rain.
The weather agency posted hurricane warnings for all three of the province's counties, as well as rainfall, wind and storm surge warnings.
That will mean:
Environment Canada says Kings County in the east will likely get the most rain, and Queens and Kings counties will experience the worst winds. .
"Rainfall rates in excess of 25 mm per hour are possible beginning tonight and will continue into Saturday," the agency said.
Winds in eastern Cape Breton and southwest Newfoundland east of the eye will likely get gusts to near Category 2 hurricane level, which is 160 km/h.
"Over P.E.I. and parts of northern Nova Scotia, the winds will be much colder and from the northwest and could gust up to 140 or 150 km/h."
Environment Canada was blunt about the possible impact.
"These winds could cause significant treefall and result in extended utility outages. Damage to building cladding and roofing material is likely, including structural damage in certain cases. Winds of this strength could cause windows to break and tear off large overhead highway signs."
The warning also said Fiona "will result in damage to docks and breakwaters. Significant shoreline erosion and large waves are expected where winds blow onshore."
People who must venture outdoors during the storm are being warned to watch out for wind-blown debris and downed power lines, among other risks.
"Stay away from the shore — the combination of surge and large waves could result in dangerous rip currents and the risk of being pulled out to sea," Environment Canada said.
Because of Fiona, the Confederation Bridge is warning of travel restrictions, starting tonight around 9 p.m. and lasting until early Sunday morning.
Northumberland Ferries has cancelled Friday night ferry crossings between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., as well as all crossings on Saturday.