Floods bring transportation on The Rock to a standstill

STEPHENVILLE, Nfld. — Parts of Newfoundland were overwhelmed with heavy rains and floods yesterday, causing the province to declare a state of emergency.

Rivers breached their banks and flooded downtown Stephenville as more than 110 millimetres of rain fell on the region by mid-morning, CBC News reports.

The storm — which Environment Canada says is unrelated to Hurricane Rita — forced at least 200 of the town’s 8,000 residents to leave their houses. About 80 houses in Stephenville — which is on the west coast of Newfoundland, about halfway between Corner Brook and Channel-Port aux Basques — are reportedly flooded and several dozen vehicles were submerged, according to CBC.

Severe damage was also reported in the neighbouring communities of Noels Pond and Black Duck Siding.

Although the three bridges in Stephenville remain intact, the roadways leading to the bridges had washed away. Several roadways in and out of small communities surrounding Stephenville were also flooded, including the Trans Canada Highway.

— from CBC News