Blizzard prompts state of emergency
ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland (AP) — The capital of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador declared a rare state of emergency Friday as blizzard conditions descended on the city and residents prepared for an intense storm expected to last into Saturday. Officials in St. John’s ordered businesses closed and vehicles off the roads. The nearby towns of Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay and Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s followed suit shortly afterwards. Environment Canada issued blizzard and wind warnings for much of Newfoundland and said strong winds and blowing snow might cause whiteout conditions until Saturday in some places.