GAMBO, N.L. — A powerful storm brought damaging winds and relentless surf to the small northeastern town of Gambo, Newfoundland, on Sunday, resulting in a state of emergency for the coastal community. This event has been marked as unprecedented, with locals witnessing damage unlike anything they had experienced before.
Rick Ralph, a lifelong resident of Gambo, described the fierce conditions that accompanied the storm. He noted how massive waves crashed against the coast, overtaking the road just nine metres from his home. In the aftermath, his front lawn was strewn with seaweed, a stark reminder of the storm's impact. “As soon as the sun started to come up on Sunday, the water started to surge, and we watched the road wash away,” Ralph recounted in an interview the following day, emphasizing that in just hours, a significant portion of the road was “totally gone.”
Having lived in their house for 32 years, Rick and his wife Colleen described this weekend’s storm as perhaps the most destructive they have faced. Colleen reflected on past storms they’ve experienced, including Hurricane Igor, stating, “We’ve never seen the damage we have with the damage to that road.” She pointed out how the water levels were higher and the conditions fiercer and faster than they had ever seen before.
According to Rick Ralph, the raging surf eroded approximately five metres of land in front of their home. Despite the devastation, the couple expressed relief that the storm did not result in injuries. Damage to their property included roof and siding issues, alongside uprooted trees, several of which Rick had planted during his teenage years. “I had large trees blown down. Trees I planted myself when I was 17 or 18 years old,” he shared, signifying the personal connection to the land that was lost.
In light of the severe weather conditions, the town of Gambo declared a state of emergency on Sunday. Officials warned residents of a temporary power outage that affected the fire department’s pager system, which was restored within hours. Furthermore, the town issued a statement on social media, informing residents that Bayview Road, which faced partial wash away near the Ralphs’ property, had been reduced to one-lane traffic. Authorities urged individuals who did not live in the area to steer clear of the affected street.
As of the 2021 census, the population of Gambo was approximately 1,800. However, efforts to manage the situation quickly became a priority for local leaders. While the town's mayor and members of the council were reached for comments by The Canadian Press, they did not immediately respond.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities to the forces of nature, especially in light of climatic changes that are leading to more extreme weather patterns. As residents begin to assess the damages and recover from this storm, the long-term implications for infrastructure and safety in Gambo remain a significant concern.
