Port aux Basques in SW Newfoundland has been particularly badly hit by Fiona, called ‘total devastation’. I know this region well from researching my latest science-based novel, UPHEAVAL, about a sea ice tsunami that hits Cape Breton Island and the Port aux Basques region in 2026 causing similar but more extensive damage. I discovered that many coastal areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are only 10m or so above sea level and since houses are often built close to shore, they are extremely vulnerable to high wave heights and storm surges.
Some waves along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore could build to be more than 10 metres, with waves along southern Newfoundland on Saturday morning reaching higher heights. “Waves over eastern portions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cabot Strait could be higher than 12 metres,” Environment Canada said. CBC News 24 September 2022.
I may post updates as more information comes in. See the map below to orient yourself regarding news reports.
From my novel, but note that “Epicentre 2026” is the fictional earthquake that causes the sea ice tsunami in my ‘geological fiction’ story:
ADDED: Moment of impact video at Port aux Basques, via twitter:
Video from CBC: “Homes lost, residents flee as Fiona smashes Port aux Basques, N.L.” 24 September 2022
AFTERMATH PHOTOS from Port aux Basques and nearby communities (added 25 September):
The SW Newfoundland community of Burnt Islands (just east of Port aux Basques) sustained major damage along the coast (24 September 2022). More photos here.
From a CBC News Report the day after:
On Sunday morning, CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler said while the winds in Port aux Basques were significant, the bulk of the damage was caused by storm surge.
“When it came in, it came in so fast,” she said.
She said models predicted 16 metre waves, but the maximum wave height may have been double.
“All of that combined was catastrophic,” she said.
…
Environment Canada meteorologist Melissa Field said the storm set a record-high for water levels in Port aux Basques at 2.73 metres — about a metre higher than the normal water level.
AND IN NEIL’S HARBOUR on Cape Breton Island, where much of the action in UPHEAVAL takes place, the damage has also been severe.
‘Fiona devastates small Cape Breton community of Neil’s Harbour’[25 September 2022 CBC video]
Fiona smashed into Neil’s Harbour with fury on Saturday, causing extensive damage to homes, buildings and roads in the small community on northern Cape Breton Island, N.S.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2076966467965
see also images in this video, from CTV News:
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2528792
Historical Reference:
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