All photographs by Fransen CR (all rights reserved), Campbell River, BC. More of Fransen’s work can be found on Flickr.
By 3:30 PM the first attack of Tropical Storm Earl was over. In the early part of the storm, a tree fell against power lines on Grafton Street near Prince. Work crews were cleaning it up by 4 PM. Related to Fallen tree on Grafton Street during Tropical Storm Earl
Branches and debris littered the streets but it could have been a lot worse. An hour later the wind turned to the W and came back with fury.
I could have narrated the video but it’s obvious what is going on and the wind sounds great.
Tree down on Grafton Street after Earl (photo Beth P Johnston)
For aftermath of tree damage, see Damage from Tropical Storm Earl in Charlottetown PEI
Damage from Tropical Storm Earl, Longworth Street, Souris, PEI (picture Kate O'Hanley)
Tropical Storm Earl is picking up velocity now moving 57 km/h with winds of 112 km/h. The eye of the storm has become more focused and will hit PEI in Kings County within 4 hours. Charlottetown is not in the direct path any long but will experience 91 km/h winds and heavy rain.
Here’s a time lapse video from Halifax posted at 10.40 just before Cameron lost his power.
Maritimers woke up to a strange calm with cloudy skys. Winds of 91 km/h were starting in from Metaghan to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Rain was heavy in Maine and starting in Western New Brunswick and the southern area near St. Stephen. Where was Tropical Storm Earl?
While picking up speed overnight to 48 km/h (30 mph) it had veered off its original course up the Bay of Fundy was now moving over the continental shelf. At 6 AM it was 219 miles (350 km) from Portland Maine and 156 miles (233 Km) from Yarmouth. It was moving on a path to pass directly over Truro, Nova Scotia at 3 PM and then eastern Prince Edward Island. However, no one including Environment Canada was sure. “We’re not exactly sure,” said Doug Mercer, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. CBC
Prince Edward Island will be hit from Central Queens to all of Kings County with the eye projected to pass over Montague. No one predicted that yesterday.
Perhaps the Acadians in Evangeline knew something when they kept to their schedule for L’Exposition agricole et Le Festival acadien de La Région Évangéline being held today in Abrams Village. They may be spared the worst of the storm
Tropical Storm Earl expected landfall east of Yarmouth (image StormPulse)
Cape Cod got off lightly with heavy winds and drenching rain but no major hurricane damage. There were reports of beach erosion and one home near Chatham may be lost to the sea.
Environment Canada had not updated the 9:09 PM update at midnight and still predicts Earl will land west of Yarmouth, NS. The morning will tell the tale. Continue reading
PEI landfall seems to be tracking for the Mt. Carmel to Cape Egmont area about 3 PM on Saturday. Most of PEI is predicted to receive heavy rainfall and winds of 96 km/h.
Hurricane Earl, tracking projected landfall Nova Scotia and PEI
On Long Island, Earl whipped up surf with 55 mile an hour winds that caused rip tides and some beach erosion at Montauk the easternmost part of the United States. Residents consider they got off easy with little damage.
Earl is weakened but could do damage on Cape Cod where boats and vacation homes line the Atlantic coast. Earl will be 60 miles off the coast of Cape Cod when it goes by.
Atlantic Canada is holding its breath, hoping to avoid any real damage.
Rain and thunderstorms expected in Boston, rain has already started in some areas. Hurricane Earl is still tracking to hit land in Nova Scotia west of Yarmouth about 3 AM Saturday morning.
Hurricane Earl, 6 PM Friday with rain radar (image WeatherPulse)
The eye of the storm is expected to pass over the Evangeline region of Prince Edward Island about 3 PM Saturday afternoon. Winds will blow steadily at about 60 mph or 96 km/h over most of Prince Edward Island as the storm passes.
Winds in Halifax, Frederiction and Sydney may be slightly less.
By 3 PM today cloud cover from Hurricane Earl was evident in Fredericton. By 5 PM Charlottetown, PEI was experiencing cloud cover as well.
Environment Canada revised it’s warning slightly at 3:55 PM
It is likely that portions of Southwestern Nova Scotia will have wind gusts reaching or exceeding 100 km/h. Elsewhere along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia…The Bay of Fundy…And portions of the Gulf of St Lawrence wind gusts will likely reach 90 km/h. Gusts of this speed could cause tree branches and limbs to break and some trees to come down. That could result in downed utility lines and related power failures. There could also be some damage to signage..Roofing materials and building cladding. Continue reading
Hurricane Earl, 185 miles from New York City and Boston
Heavy rainfall and high winds are reported along the US coast from Virginia Beach to Atlantic City. Vacationers on Long Island and Cape Cod are disappointed as plans are changed. Beaches are closed or closing. Boats brought in and buildings shuttered.
Earl has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane which does not mean the danger is over.
“Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket face the most serious threat from Earl, expected to hit late Friday and early Saturday.
“We still think it will be a hurricane when it passes by Cape Cod,” said James Franklin, the National Hurricane Center’s chief forecaster.” Fox News
There is no change in the forecast for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. Earl is expected to hit landfall near Metaghan, NS and proceed through to Moncton and Western Prince Edward Island.
Environment Canada has not changed its issued Tropical Storm Warning, Wind Warning and heavy rainfall warning.
Heavy rain…Amounting to 40 to 70 millimetres will likely fall over portions of the Maritimes on Saturday as Earl tracks across the region….With southern and Central New Brunswick and Northwestern Prince Edward Island being the most likely areas to receive these amounts. Over many areas of the Maritimes very heavy downpours are likely…With 25 millimetres or more possible in one hour. Environment Canada
(image StormPulse)
With Hurricane Earl bearing down on the Maritimes and PEI, many residents are getting ready. Surprisingly, the Digby Wharf Rats cycle festival with 80,000 in attendance many in tents is going forward.
On PEI, the Évangéline Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival will be held in a tent as well. Abrams Village, PEI is directly in the predicted path of Hurricane Earl.
Let’s hope the festival organizers keep their eye on the weather and use a judicious amount of common sense.
