Summary of the Atlantic Storm of January 21-22, 2000
A deep low passing northward over the Maritimes on 21-22 January 2000 caused severe impacts at numerous coastal locations. With minimum central pressure of 94.5 kPa at 1800 UTC 110 km SSE of Halifax, the storm passed 55 km east of Charlottetown at 0000 UTC and thence north across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Coincidence of a 1.2 m storm surge with perigean high tides intensified the impact of the storm at many sites. Waves of 5-7 m significant height in the Cabot Strait area, with much higher extremes, caused very severe impacts in southwest Newfoundland and eastern Nova Scotia. Flooding and wave damage to coastal infrastructure were recorded at several communities on the Burin Peninsula, but damage in eastern Newfoundland was largely restricted to sites that sustained more severe impacts from hurricanes in 1999. Combined waves and surge overtopped the barrier beach and main road access at Souris PEI, causing serious erosion, and significant damage was sustained at other sites in eastern and western PEI. The storm surge was most severe in Northumberland Strait, causing record high water levels and flooding parts of the downtown core in Charlottetown, as well as serious flooding in Mt Stewart PEI, Summerside PEI, and Shediac Bay NB. Buildings were floated off their foundations and transported alongshore at Malagash NS. A striking feature of this storm was the extent of sea-ice ride-up and pile-up onshore in PEI and NB. While sea ice limited wave action and protected the north shore of PEI (where the storm of 22 December 1998 was more severe), ice ride-up dislodged a lighthouse in Charlottetown and devastated the wharf at Robichaud NB. Shore-ice pile-up along the Gulf of St. Lawrence coast of New Brunswick, in places over the crest of coastal dunes, caused significant damage and exceeded anything in the recollection of coastal residents.
Storm Impact: Cole Harbour Nova Scotia
High water damage to wharf at Cole Harbour, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia
Storm Impact: Little Dover, Nova Scotia
Little Dover Nova Scotia. High waves moved large blocks from bedrock platform.
Little Dover Nova Scotia. Wave damage to recently constructed boardwalk.
Storm Impact: Charlottetown, PEI
Charlottetown, PEI
Charlottetown PEI. Ice ride up knocked lighthouse off foundation. Significant flooding occurred in the downtown core.
Storm Impact: Robichaud, NB
Robichaud, NB. Ice ride up over the wharf at Robichaud knocked down all upright structures including navigation aid.
Robichaud, NB. Building destroyed by ice
Storm Impact: Quai de l'Aboiteau, NB
Quai de l'Aboiteau, NB. Ice pile up on breakwater
Quai de l'Aboiteau, NB (2). Ice pile up over top of dunes adjacent to navigation channel near Cap Pelé, NB
Storm Impact: Bas Cap Pelé, NB
Bas Cap Pelé, NB. Bas Cap Pelé Ice pile up on dunes with damage to the boardwalk.
Storm Impact: Wave damage at Souris, PEI.
Souris, P.E.I. The dune and backshore were eroded near the tourist information centre. The beach and the road were submerged at the height of the storm.