Remembering Hurricane Igor

By ColleenMartin:), CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53027946

Hurricane Igor slammed into Newfoundland on September 21, 2010.

The storm was the most destructive tropical cyclone on record to strike the island of Newfoundland.

It was also the strongest hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season.

Igor originated from a broad area of low pressure that moved off the Cape Verde islands on the west coast of Africa on September 6, 2010.

The combination of a stationary front and significant moisture from Hurricane Igor resulted in unprecedented rainfall across parts of eastern Newfoundland, leading to widespread flooding.

In Cape Pine, near where the center of Igor tracked, sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts to 172 km/h battered the area.

The most significant impacts from Igor were attributed to torrential rains, which led to excessive runoff and flash flooding. Several rivers rose to record levels across the Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas where many roads were washed out. Entire bridges, homes, and portions of roads were destroyed.

In some instances, floodwaters were higher than entire homes.

Roughly 150 communities were temporarily isolated as all roads leading to them were severely damaged or washed out.

Public infrastructure losses were estimated in excess of $100 million, mainly attributed to roadways.