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Intense storm
Nova Scotia was hit hard by Fiona who made landfall around 4 a.m. local time. Lightning gusts of up to 179 km/h caused power outages for almost all residents of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Saturday morning, 500,000 residents of the Laurentians were plunged into darkness. Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton had declared a total state of emergency.
In the Magdalen Islands, 35% of subscribers are currently without electricity, but the situation could probably worsen during the morning, when the heart of the system will affect this region.
This week Fiona became the first major hurricane of the season. With winds of 215 km/h, it even reached the category 4 threshold, according to the Saffir-Simpson scale.
However, its full hurricane status is over. Fiona became an extra-tropical storm shortly before colliding with the Maritimes. Despite everything, its power remains considerable. It nevertheless continues its course towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence, touching the Magdalen Islands and Gaspésie in the early morning of Saturday. The Lower North Shore is also likely to be entitled to its share of the cake, but would be affected in the evening, Saturday.
The much weaker depression will then continue its northward progression, reaching the Labrador Sea during the day on Sunday.
Chaos in the Maritimes
The Atlantic provinces will be hit hard by Fiona. It is expected to make landfall early Saturday in Nova Scotia as a major post-tropical cyclone with hurricane force winds. That’s why the majority of them are under hurricane warning right now. Up to 200 mm of rain could fall in some places, including Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Violent gusts of up to 160 km/h are possible in the most exposed areas, which could cause major power outages and considerable damage. These powerful winds, combined with high tide, could generate waves up to 15 meters high in some areas.
Fiona in Quebec: the most affected region
In Quebec, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine will be the area hardest hit by the remnants of Hurricane Fiona. The archipelago is already preparing.
__Patrick de Bellefeuille is on the ground, in the Magdalen Islands. The sea over the roads!: __
The lands of eastern Quebec, including Gaspésie and part of the North Shore, will also suffer the repercussions, but the geography of these regions makes them a little less vulnerable to the vagaries of the storm. In general, major impacts are to be expected.
strong winds
Strong winds could oscillate around 90 km/h for the majority of sectors. The Madelinot archipelago could however have powerful gusts of 150 km/h in open areas. Such gusts could cause significant material damage, particularly to the electrical network. Breakdowns are possible. Hydro-Québec has also dispatched additional teams to the islands, in order to intervene quickly if necessary.
torrential rain
Torrential precipitation is also on the radar: the Magdalen Islands could get a hundred millimeters. In Gaspésie and on the Lower North Shore, up to 75 mm are possible by Saturday evening. A risk of flash floods is therefore to be considered, for all of eastern Quebec.
Storm surge and flooding
Higher than normal water levels are likely to create dangerous conditions near the coast. Waves 6 to 8 meters high could shake the coastline in some places, which could cause flooding and considerable damage. You will have to be extra careful on the Gaspé section of Route 132, which is particularly exposed to waves.
