Heavy rainfall leads to road closures on Newfoundland's east coast

Heavy rainfall on Friday has led to road closures in parts of Newfoundland's east coast, impacting drivers.

According to the Newfoundland and Labrador government website, as of Saturday morning Route 204 also known as Southwest Arm Road from Harbour Drive to Cabot Road South is closed due to flooding/culvert washout.

It is advising drivers to use alternative routes.

On Friday evening, the RCMP issued a notice that heavy rainfall caused a river level to rise six inches over route 210 near North Harbour.

"Emergency vehicles on scene and asking motorists to proceed with caution and only travel if necessary at this time," it said.

Rainfall easing

Tiffany Cheeks, a meteorologist with the Gander weather office, said periods of rain and drizzle will continueacross most of Newfoundland on Saturday but it's expected to taper off and become cloudy.

"Tonight should be better than last night," Cheeks told CBC News.

"Rain should be tapering off for the island. And then just mainly cloudy tonight for anyone going out."

"Expecting a further two to four millimetres for most areas the exception being the west and south-west coast of the island. They're just mainly cloudy to start the day this morning though there is a chance of showers on the west coast all day today."

However, she said Saturday is expected to be windy.

"We're expecting some gusty north to northwesterly winds, particularly on the northeast coast, generally gusting to 50 [kilometres an hour], but some areas in the northeast can expect gusts to 70 [kilometres an hour]."

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