Flights were grounded at St. John’s International Airport, where winds gusted up to 158 km/hr, the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane, according to Environment Canada. Meteorologist Wanda Batten said peak wind speeds in some areas broke records previously held by hurricane Igor in 2010. Reports from eyewitnesses and on social media have indicated various amounts of damage to homes, buildings and vehicles. Newfoundland Power says widespread power outages affecting about 70,000 customers could last into the night as forceful gusts hampered efforts to restore power. Another resident in the provincial capital region, Dave Herder, said he has never seen winds so severe in St. John’s.

Source: National Post March 12, 2017 14:26 UTC