Mayor of Port aux Basques says climate change talks needed after another torrential downpour

Environment Canada meteorologist Rodney Barney tweeted Tuesday that nearly 50 millimeters of rain fell overnight on the community of about 4,000 people. This is in addition to the 165mm that fell between Tuesday and Thursday last week, an amount that caused stormy waters strong enough to tear up four sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.

An Environment Canada rain warning was still in effect this morning, calling for an additional 10mm of rain and noting that the soil in the area was already nearly saturated and likely unable to absorb much more water.

Button says storms, wind speeds and rainfall in his community are getting more severe, and he says he thinks it’s time to have serious conversations about how communities like his can better prepare for climate change.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a statement saying no significant damage was recorded in Monday night’s storm and that repair work on the highway following flooding last week was In progress.

“Installation of remaining culverts is delayed due to high water levels,” the statement said, adding that minor damage has been reported along some highways in the Codroy Valley area just north of Port aux Basques .

The government had hoped the highway would be passable by the middle of the week, but now expects repairs to be completed only later in the week.

Until roads are repaired, residents of Port aux Basques are cut off from the rest of the province, although helicopters are available to transport people to medical appointments or other urgent needs.

“Residents are encouraged to take advantage of air services until the official opening of the highway, otherwise they risk missing appointments,” the statement said.

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