Irish loop Communities Assess Damage After Powerful Storm, Mourn Loss of Fish Plant
TREPASSEY, N.L. – communities along Newfoundland’s Irish Loop are taking stock of damage from a severe storm that lashed the region Tuesday, even as cleanup efforts continue Wednesday amid lingering high winds. While the Department of Transportation reopened the causeway to one lane of traffic, covered in ocean-soaked sand, the focus has shifted to the devastating loss of a fish plant in St. Mary’s, destroyed by fire during the hurricane-force winds.
Placentia Bay Mayor Sheila Hayward expressed relief that the storm’s impact wasn’t worse. “We really anticipated more damage. I’m glad we didn’t get it,” she said.
The storm brought waves reaching 12 metres to the area, causing road washouts and power outages. However, the fire at the St. Mary’s fish plant has become the community’s primary concern.The plant was fully destroyed before fire crews could intervene.
“The storm damage is secondary, and the road can be replaced. As well as the plant. But we never expected this. people were actually working there yesterday,” Hayward said, adding, “Our heart is really broken.”
the affected communities include Trepassey and St. Vincent’s-St. Stephen’s-Peter’s River. hayward noted that the region is accustomed to powerful storms. ”The wind is still very high.But it’s hard to stop Mother Nature, and those storms are getting stronger and stronger,” she said.
