Nova Scotia, Newfoundland brace for Igor

 

A boat is swamped with water at Flatts Inlet in Smith's parish while Hurricane Igor comes ashore in Bermuda, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

HALIFAX—A tropical storm watch was issued for parts of Newfoundland early Monday as a weakening hurricane Igor brushed past Bermuda.

Igor, which was barely a Category 1 hurricane, pelted Bermuda with driving rain and powerful wind, but there were no early reports of major damage.

Environment Canada posted the tropical storm watch for St. John's, the Avalon Peninsula and the Burin Peninsula.

It said Igor would bring strong northerly winds possibly gusting to 100 km/h by Tuesday morning before moderating somewhat by evening.

Igor and an unrelated trough of low pressure could bring total rainfall of 50 to 100 millimetres in most of central and eastern Newfoundland, but the Avalon Peninsula could receive up to 150 millimetres.

Environment Canada said swells of up to two to three metres ahead of Igor would pound the Atlantic coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for several days.

Meanwhile, Calgary-based Husky Energy started to evacuate two semi-submersible drill rigs working the White Rose offshore oilfield.

Spokeswoman Colleen McConnell said all 88 workers aboard the GFS Grand Banks were removed from the rig by Sunday.

As well, the 110 workers aboard the Henry Goodrich were expected to be airlifted to St. John's, N.L., by Monday.

The company's floating production platform, the Sea Rose, had 88 people aboard on Saturday. Some were removed Sunday and others were expected to follow Monday, McConnell said.

--The Canadian Press

 
High winds and rising surf come ashore at Long Bay Beach as Hurricane Igor approaches Bermuda September 19, 2010. (REUTERS/Kat Jackson)