@edgarblythe,
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=aqQ7E_9eQAoE
Quote: Hurricane Bill Passes Nova Scotia, Heads Up Coast (Update1)
By Chris Fournier
Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Bill swept past Nova Scotia today, felling trees, swamping roads and leaving about 40,000 people without power, as it made its way up the Atlantic Coast to Newfoundland.
The storm, 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of Halifax, is moving northeast at 56 kilometers an hour, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers an hour, Environment Canada said on its Web site as of 3 p.m. local time. The storm is a Category 1 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It’s expected to be below hurricane strength when it reaches Newfoundland overnight.
“It’s now making its way up the Eastern Shore toward Cape Breton,” said Jodi Sibley, a spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office. “We’ve seen some impact along the coast. We haven’t seen any severe damage.”
Wharves and other structures may be damaged in southern Newfoundland as high waves and a meter-high storm surge meet spring tides. “Spectators are strongly advised to keep a safe distance from the shoreline due to the rapid approach of large waves,” Environment Canada said.
Earlier today, at least five people were swept up in the storm’s waves at Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, the Associated Press said. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two individuals and is searching for the other three, AP said.
(tornadoes touched down on the outskirts of toronto/ontario and caused fairly extensive damage to houses , powerlines and trees .
category still to be assessed by environment canada .
the shore of eastern lake ontario was under tornado warning friday night - we decided to sleep in the basement - heavy rain but no major damage locally - but some flooded basements in lower parts of the city .
ehbeth and thomas were visiting - they slept soundly - particularly thomas - after having had two bottles of guiness stout )
