Gale-force winds tore through Newfoundland and Labrador on Saturday, leaving 70,000 people without power.
Wind speeds as high as 180 km/h blew roofs off buildings (or blew buildings off foundations entirely) and downed power lines, in what Environment Canada said was the strongest storm to hit the province in a decade.
Check out the tire swing as it gets cut off by debris. #nlwx @EddieSheerr @ryansnoddon @weathernetwork @BWalshNL #springisintheair pic.twitter.com/SDXTU0f9k4
— Steven Windsor (@stevenawindsor) March 11, 2017
Despite the frightening weather, some Newfoundlanders met the storm with grace and good humour on Twitter.
Holy crap! The wind was so strong last night that it blew the time ahead!!!! #nlwx
— Claralee Rideout (@ClaraleeRideout) March 12, 2017
In #Newfoundland, the chip aisle is a better indicator of a storm's severity than your weather app #nlwx pic.twitter.com/qgsIOACieD
— Hugh Campbell (@HughVsDignity) March 12, 2017
Some descriptions of the situation were a little ... understated.
Building on Bay Roberts wharf not doing so well!! #nlwx pic.twitter.com/TBlZy4ZWaa
— Phil Smith (@prsmith3x0) March 11, 2017
A little windy on Stavanger Drive in St John's today #nlwx pic.twitter.com/nyWoBy78iC
— Jeremy Eaton (@Jeremy_Eaton) March 11, 2017
The conditions didn't make it easy to drive.
In St. John's, 72 intersections were without traffic lights on Sunday morning.
Stay home and don't drive on any highway in Newfoundland. It's stormin. Your welcome @TW_GovNL #nlwx #winterstorm #winter2017 pic.twitter.com/VKlaudjD3W
— Pat Higgins (@PatHigginsHomes) March 11, 2017
Many were met with unwelcome surprises:
Tomorrow is "Find Out If Your Siding Installer Cheaped Out On Nails Day" in St. John's. #nltraffic #yyt #nlwx
— Earl Noble (@Noble41) March 10, 2017
#nlwx #nltraffic someone's shed is missing. Careful driving you might get hit with it on Portugal cove road! pic.twitter.com/Vt1Q1km3a8
— Rob LeDrew (@RobLeDrew) March 11, 2017
Others tried to take the situation in stride:
What do you do when the wind is blowing a gale and the power is out? You McDo😉 #nlwx #dadjokes pic.twitter.com/nMPIcqcEns
— Zack of all Games (@zackofallgames) March 12, 2017
Where do you even start shovelling? This is Ralph Webber Jr.'s house in Black Tickle, Labrador #nlwx pic.twitter.com/ujgu2PqllJ
— CBC NL (@CBCNL) March 8, 2017
Curling fans kept themselves entertained after power went out at the Brier championship.
Curling game or concert? Staying amused during the #BrierBlackout #brier2017 #nlwx pic.twitter.com/DEv3wBRW2m
— Cheryl (@cheryl_norman) March 11, 2017
Newfoundlanders did more than just help each other laugh during the difficult time. Cities opened up warming centres for people and their pets without power, and crews worked through the terrifying conditions to get homes and businesses back up and running.
It's STILL blowing a gale as @NFPower restoring customers. #nltraffic #nlwxhttps://t.co/c0gXBhMSL7 pic.twitter.com/lSYiq3Gs43
— CBC NL (@CBCNL) March 12, 2017
Blizzard warnings stayed in effect for the region on Sunday, according to Environment Canada.
Stay safe and warm out there.
Pretty sure this sums up everyone in St. John's right now #nlstorm #nlpower #nlstorm #nlwx pic.twitter.com/gTLl4hOS5M
— Perla Hernandez (@Perla_hg) March 12, 2017
—With files from The Canadian Press
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