TRURO - Although hurricane Earl is likely to diminish in strength by the time it arrives in Nova Scotia Saturday, meteorologists are warning people not to take the storm lightly.
"Hurricane Juan represents a reminder in people's minds of what can happen," Chris Fogarty, of the Canadian Hurricane Centre, told the Truro Daily News Wednesday.
Fogarty said the chances of hurricane Earl being as devastating to this area as Juan was "is not zero, but a low chance ... but it still must be taken seriously."
The Category 3 / 4 storm was brewing in the waters off of Bermuda Wednesday. It's anticipated when it hits Nova Scotia, particularly the northern area, on Saturday, it will pack a punch as a Category 1 storm, if it maintains its current track.
"It will probably move through quick and hit Saturday morning and in six hours be done," said Fogarty.
It's believed the highest wind could be more over central Nova Scotia with a storm track over western Nova Scotia, said Fogarty.
"The $1-million question is how high are those winds," he said. During a media conference Wednesday it was estimated winds could peak at about 140 km/hr at landfall in some areas. The current scenario has the heavier rains over New Brunswick.
Mona O'Brien, the northern district supervisor with the Canadian Red Cross, said the Truro centre has been preparing for the hurricane all week.
"We are looking at human resources. We already have 60 volunteers to be on standby," said O'Brien, adding there are traditionally five active volunteers on a daily basis. The Red Cross will also actively keep in touch with the town and emergency measures organizitions on how to work together leading up to and following the storm.
Atlantic Canada has about 900 disaster volunteers. Each province has a disaster operations centre equipped with backup power and telecommunications equipment, response vehicles and trailers, shelter supplies like blankets, cots and comfort kits pre-positioned at 26 locations.
Even the Department of Natural Resources is looking at emergency practices for the weekend. Provincial parks, beaches, day-use and camping parks and the Shubenacadie wildlife park may be closed. The department will make a decision as the storm gets closer to the province.
For continued coverage on hurricane Earl, log onto our Storm Watch page on the Truro Daily News website.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
