'Total devastation' as Port aux Basques declares state of emergency due to post-tropical storm Fiona

Communities in southwestern Newfoundland are grappling with significant damage, including lost homes, flooding and road washouts due to post-tropical storm Fiona.

Everything east of town hall in Port aux Basques is under an emergency evacuation order as the town is pounded by severe winds and storm surge.

"What's actually happening here is total devastation," said Mayor Brian Button.

On Friday, the town had recommended that some residents in homes near the coast evacuate. On Saturday morning, that recommendation became an order.

"We are going to force people out of their homes if we need to. They need to go," he said.

Power lines were down, the town hall was flooded and multiple roads were washed out.

"I'm telling you, it is a mess out there," he said. 

Button said it's too early to say if anyone has been injured, but he said if people don't listen to the evacuation order they are in danger. 

The town is also having problems with its water system, and is under a boil advisory.

"This has become bigger, and worse than we had imagined."

Other communities, like Burnt Islands and Burgeo, are dealing with similar situations.

RCMP Cpl. Jolene Garland said multiple residential areas are being evacuated — and in some cases, residents have resisted leaving their homes.

"That's causing a lot of issues and a lot of concern," she said.

Garland said police have received an unconfirmed report that a woman has been washed out to sea. She said first responders haven't been able to reach that location because of the storm surge.