Storm prompts evacuation of offshore oil rigs

Workers at some oil facilities in the waters off Newfoundland are being evacuated in advance of Hurricane Igor.

Environment Canada officials are predicting heavy rains and possible hurricane-force winds as the storm moves south of the island on Tuesday.

Most of the 88 people working on the drill rig Grand Banks began leaving on Saturday and were expected in St. John's by Sunday night, while all 110 personnel on the oil rig Henry Goodrich were expected to be evacuated on Monday.

There will be some essential personnel remaining on the production and storage vessel Sea Rose.

A spokesperson for Husky Energy, which operates the facilities, said the move is a precautionary one.

The ship and the two rigs are all located approximately 300 kilometres southeast of St. John's.