The town of St. Mary’s in Newfoundland and Labrador is reeling from the aftermath of a devastating night marked by a powerful storm and a significant fire. Mayor Steve Ryan described the event as a “perfect storm,” which resulted in the destruction of the town’s fish processing plant.
Impact of the Fish Plant Fire
The fire, influenced by hurricane-force winds, broke out on Tuesday night. By Wednesday morning, it was confirmed that the fire was under control, but the damage was substantial. The fish plant, owned by St. Mary’s Bay Fisheries, was the largest employer in the region. More than 300 workers were employed there during peak seasons, many of whom depended on the plant for their livelihood.
- Plant served as the primary source of high-paying jobs in the region.
- Mayor Ryan emphasized the emotional toll of the loss, calling it a “success story” now turned tragic.
- Residents, deeply affected by the event, had to evacuate to the town hall for safety.
Severe Weather Conditions
The storm brought destructive winds to the southern Avalon Peninsula, with gusts reaching up to 172 km/h. Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the region, predicting gusts of 110 km/h along the coast on Wednesday.
Warnings in Effect
- Wind warnings remain active across Newfoundland.
- Coastal flooding warnings are also in place for southern Avalon.
Communication Challenges
As the fire broke out, communication became nearly impossible. Mayor Ryan and St. Vincent’s Mayor Verna Hayward reported a complete power outage that disrupted cell service. Hayward shared that the loss of the fish plant is equally tragic for her community, yet the inability to communicate hindered check-ins among residents during the crisis.
Transportation and Power Outages
The storm also caused significant disruptions to transportation. Route 90 through St. Vincent’s Beach was closed due to flooding, and authorities advised residents to avoid the area. Power outages affected numerous communities across the Avalon Peninsula and beyond:
| Community | Number of Customers Without Power |
|---|---|
| St. John’s to Southern Shore | 41 |
| Long Harbour and Coley’s Point | 272 |
| Burin Peninsula | 806 |
| Sunnyside to Bonavista Peninsula | 1,307 |
| Gander to New-Wes-Valley | 1,217 |
| Seal Cove-Wild Cove, and others | 584 |
Communications director Glenda Power of Newfoundland Power stated that most outages should be resolved by Wednesday noon. However, ongoing high winds could complicate the restoration efforts.
