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Weather and Climate News
The Associated Press
St. John's, Newfoundland

Canadian military mobilized to help Newfoundland dig out after blizzard

Canada Blizzard
A resident digs out his walkway in St. John's Newfoundland, on Saturday after a historic blizzard.
Andrew Vaughan | The Canadian Press via AP

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Canada's federal government was mobilizing the military on Sunday to help Newfoundland and Labrador dig out from a monster blizzard that paralyzed eastern regions of the province with record-breaking amounts of snow and as forecasts call for more.

Newfoundland Premier Dwight Ball asked for Ottawa's help on Saturday, and Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O'Regan said the federal government was working to deploy all available resources on the ground in St. John's. No details were immediately announced, however O'Regan said that ensuring access to the city's main hospital would be a top priority.

Rob Carroll, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said St. John's had experienced a one-day snowfall of 76.2 centimeters (30 inches), breaking the previous record of 68.4 centimeters (27 inches) on April 5, 1999.

Winds at the St. John's International Airport were recorded at between 120 and 157 kph (75 and 98 mph) at the height of the storm.

Canadian Armed Forces Operations said they hoped to arrive as early as Sunday to help the affected communities.

Their expected tasks will include assisting with snow removal, providing transportation to warming or emergency centers and ensuring the elderly and those with health concerns are cared for.

More snow was forecast Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, a search resumed for a man who went missing during the weekend storm, with the Royal Canadian Police asking people to check sheds, vehicles and other structures on their properties in case 26-year-old Joshua Wall had taken shelter there.

As the plowing, shoveling and snow blowing went on, states of emergency that were declared Friday in St. John's and several nearby communities remained in effect. Some other decrees were lifted Saturday, including the town of Bonavista north of the Avalon Peninsula, though the town still advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

St. John's said Sunday morning, however, that it had lifted some restrictions on the state of emergency. Private snow contractors were being allowed to help clear snow, gas stations were permitted to open to provide fuel for snow clearing and pharmacies were permitted to open from noon until 7 p.m. for emergency medication needs.