Flights grounded, power restored as Newfoundland cleans up after winter blast

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Plows will be clearing the streets of Newfoundland’s capital for several days after a blast of winter brought nearly 50 centimetres to the region on Friday, grounding flights and knocking out power for thousands.

Paul Mackey, the city’s director of Public Works and Parks, says roads in St. John’s were accessible by at least one lane on Saturday morning.

He says crews will be working to widen the streets for the several few days.

The St. John’s International Airport says on its website it will remain closed to air traffic until midnight Sunday, citing an “incredible amount” of heavy, wet snow.

Michele Coughlan of Newfoundland Power says about 2,700 are still in the dark on the Avalon Peninsula and in central Newfoundland, down from about 65,000 on Friday.

The city’s airport had recorded wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres an hour and 48 centimetres of snow before it changed to freezing drizzle Friday.