https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/blizzard-newfoundland-1.5430457
[FONT="]The City of St. John's and neighbouring municipalities declared a state of emergency Friday as a massive storm system moves through the eastern part of Newfoundland.[/FONT]
[FONT="]An unprecedented blizzard that is whipping its way through the region has metro St. John's hunkering down for the day, bracing against severe weather that is delivering heavy snow and extraordinarily strong winds. Mass power outages have swept through the metro area, Conception Bay North and the Burin Peninsula.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The CBC station in St. John's has lost its backup power.[/FONT]
[FONT="]At 3:30 p.m. NT Friday, Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg said people throughout the eastern region of the island, particularly in the areas around St. John's, should stay indoors. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Norman's Cove-Long Cove, Come By Chance and Chapel Arm issued their own states of emergency Friday afternoon.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Bragg told CBC News that 25 of 26 snow clearing depots have been closed in eastern Newfoundland.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"With no snow clearing on the main highways, fire trucks and ambulances and all first responders would not, right now, be able to reach you in most cases," Bragg said.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Please don't do anything that would endanger the lives of first responders by putting these people out in these conditions. If the snowplow people are off the roads, you can be pretty sure it's not safe to be out."[/FONT]
[FONT="]According to Bragg, warming centres have been organized by municipalities, but it's important to locate your nearest one before you lose your power.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Bragg said there is a plan in place where most municipalities have a loader, or piece of snow-clearing equipment stationed in front of their fire halls.[/FONT]
