Tropical Storm Leslie leaves Newfoundland

• Tweet

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Leslie vented its fury on Newfoundland Tuesday, then moved on with downed power lines and damaged buildings in its wake, Canadian officials said.

With the storm warnings lifted, crews started in on the cleanup and worked to get the lights turned back on in 45,000 households, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Police requested motorists to stay off the roads in the St. John's area so downed trees and power lines could be removed safely and traffic signals could be repaired, the CBC said.

The storm had gusts surpassing the hurricane threshold of 74 mph when it hit the southern Burin Peninsula Tuesday morning, Environment Canada reported. The gales ripped the roofs and siding off of some homes and broke windows in many buildings, though no injuries had been reported.

Heavy rainfall warnings also were posted as the storm advanced from the southeast at about 40 mph, the agency said. As much as 6 inches of rain was forecast in places.

The (St. John's) Telegram reported a tractor-trailer rig had been blown over on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The provincial capital city deployed 200 municipal workers Monday night to prepare for the storm by securing loose items and ensuring sewer openings were clear, the newspaper said.

Schools were ordered closed Monday night and most ferry services were canceled, the Telegram said. Dozens of flights were canceled in St. John's and smaller regional airports.