'Historic' Hurricane Fiona expected to bring extreme weather to eastern Quebec
Eastern Quebec will likely witness severe winds and rainfall Friday night and Saturday morning as Hurricane Fiona makes its way to Canada.
Quebec's Magdalen Islands will be hit the hardest after Nova Scotia and P.E.I., according to Peter Kimbell, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
He expects 125-kilometre winds on top of 100 millimetres of rain and high waves, which will "most likely" cause flooding on the islands.
The Canadian Hurricane Centre also issued alerts for the Gaspé Peninsula, Anticosti Island, Natashquan, and other Quebec areas near the Maritimes.
Residents should be ready to spend up to 72 hours without electricity, Kimbell said.
"People should listen to their local emergency alerts, have an emergency supply kit ready, and be prepared to be alone in a shelter during the storm," he said.
The Quebec government recommends the following items for home emergency kits:
- Six litres of drinking water per person
- Non-perishable food for at least three days, with a can opener
- Battery-operated radio and flashlight, with extra batteries
- Matches or a lighter with candles
- First-aid kit with antiseptics, painkillers, sterile gauze pads, scissors, and bandages
EXPECTED DAMAGE
Road washouts and property damage are likely to happen, especially in the Magdalen Islands and on the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula.
"Similar cyclones of this nature have produced structural damage to buildings," the weather agency stated on its website.
Though Hurricane Fiona will no longer be categorized as a tropical storm by the time it reaches Quebec, Kimbell said construction sites are still quite vulnerable to this "historic" storm.
"There might also be some outdoor furniture flying around, so people should be careful," he added.
Hurricane Fiona has already left more than one million people without electricity and running water in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, with Bermuda now bracing for impact.
Meanwhile, Incumbent Quebec Premier François Legault reassured the public that the government is prepared for the storm.
"We are following the situation closely. Public Safety, the Transportation Ministry, and Hydro-Quebec are ready," he wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
As the storm makes its way to Quebec and Atlantic Canada, members of the public can check the latest public weather alerts on Environment Canada's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.