Millions of Canadians are bracing as Hurricane Fiona hurtles towards Atlantic Canada in what could be a "historic" storm for the region.."It's going to be a storm that everyone remembers once it's all said and done. One of the words I'm using is 'historic,'" said Bob Robichaud, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada..The storm is still expected to hit the region early Saturday as a hurricane-strength post-tropical storm. The provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Newfoundland & Labrador, and Quebec are under severe weather warnings.."These winds could cause significant tree fall and result in extended utility outages," Environment Canada said in a statement on Friday.."Damage to building cladding and roofing material is likely, including structural damage in certain cases. Winds of this strength could cause windows to break and tear off large overhead highway signs.".Sustained winds of 60 km/h are expected across much of Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and southeastern New Brunswick, with winds gusting to more than 100 km/h..Rainfall levels of 100- to 150-mm are also expected, meaning there's a high risk for flash flooding. A storm surge of 1.8 to 2.4 metres is also expected, which could bring waves ranging 11 to 15 metres in height on Saturday morning..The Canadian Hurricane Centre said Friday that Fiona will make landfall in eastern Nova Scotia early Saturday morning and will "produce very heavy rainfall, severe winds and storm surge.".On Thursday, Mike Savage, mayor of Halifax, NS, gave his province a blunt warning about the approaching storm..“This storm is going to hit us, folks. It’s going to hit us in the face. So we have to be ready," he said during a press conference..John Lohr, the minister responsible for the provincial Emergency Management Office, said the storm is expected to be a "significant and historical weather event for Nova Scotia."."With Fiona heading our way, it’s important to take steps to prepare before the storm hits. Working together, we can weather the storm," he said..Atlantic Canadians were asked to prepare by obtaining enough food and water for 72 hours; securing gates, doors and windows; filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees; moving yard furniture and securing loose outdoors items; monitoring local media outlets for updates; and checking on neighbors..But Tanya Mullally of the P.E.I. Emergency Measures Organization said early Friday the window of preparedness has now closed.."No historical records to compare to this, so we are preparing for the worst," she said, adding the province should expect major weather impacts over the next 36 hours..On Friday, Atlantic Canadians took to Twitter to post photos of empty grocery shelves..Bill Blair, the minister for emergency preparedness, said he's been in touch with all five provinces to "let them know that the federal government stands ready to support them should additional resources be required."
