Ophelia Hits Newfoundland as Tropical Storm, Forces Some Evacuations

Newfoundland's south coast was hit by Tropical Storm Ophelia (formerly Hurricane Ophelia) Monday morning with strong winds and substantial downpours.

Heavy rain from the storm forced the evacuation of some homes in a small community on Newfoundland's south coast.

Belleoram Mayor Stewart May told The Canadian Press that town emergency officials had to evacuate five homes on Monday after part of the bank of a roadway was washed away.

May told The Press that several rocks gave way, making it difficult for locals to get into or out of their homes. However, there were no reports of injuries in the town of 450 people.

A state of emergency issued for the community was lifted at 11 a.m.

Ophelia caused several schools and businesses to shut their doors on Monday as local authorities asked motorists to use extreme caution when driving. There were several reports of flooding and partial road washouts.

According to the 11 a.m. EDT alert from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, the post-tropical cyclone is currently located about 110 miles north-northeast of Cape Race Newfoundland with maximum sustained winds of 60mph. Ophelia is racing away from the Canadian island at 37mph and Environment Canada has discontinued the tropical storm watch for the Avalon Peninsula.

Ophelia will likely dissipate over the next 24 to 36 hours and be absorbed by a cold front on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Newfoundland as a Category 1 storm. The Canadian island was also hit by another rare hurricane in 2010 when Hurricane Igor tore through eastern Newfoundland, sweeping away bridges, washing out roads, and causing nearly $200 million in damages.

Tropical Storm Philippe

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Philippe continues to churn in open waters with maximum sustained winds of 65mph. The storm is on an intensity roller coaster according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center, though Philippe is unlikely to see land.

According to the 11 a.m. EDT alert from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Philippe is located about 750 miles southeast of Bermuda and is expected to spin back out into the open ocean midweek.