Hurricane Safety and Preparedness

Dorian Leaves Thousands Without Power in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick

At a Glance

More than 300,000 homes and businesses were without power in three Canadian provinces.
A crane collapsed onto a building that is under construction in downtown Halifax.
Some residents were encouraged to evacuate along the coast.

High winds from post-tropical cyclone Dorian knocked down trees and snapped power lines Sunday as the storm moved through western Newfoundland.

Newfoundland Power received multiple reports of trees being blown over and falling onto power lines along parts of the west coast of the island, the CBC reported. About 3,500 customers were without electricity on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, according to the CBC, Nova Scotia Power reported more than 474,000 customers were without power in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick after Dorian blew through Saturday with winds up to 90 mph.

A crane collapsed onto a building under construction in downtown Halifax as the strong winds intensified. No one was injured in the collapse.

(WATCH: Dorian Causes Crane Collapse in Canada)

"I was so shocked," Fatema Ali, who watched the crane fall, told CBC News. "My hands were shaking."

The Department of Labour will investigate the crane collapse, Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella told CBC.

Halifax was particularly hard hit by the storm, which ripped roofs off apartment buildings and uprooted trees, the Associated Press reported. The CBC said there also was widespread damage in the coastal community of Herring Cove, N.S., just outside Halifax.

Debris, including remnants of a shed and dock, was piled high in Powers Pond in Herring Cove. Darrell Power, who was one of many people who lost wharfs and sheds, said he watched boats smash against the shore on Saturday.

"This blue boat and white boat were just like dinky toys in the water. I've never seen anything like it, and 65 years I've been here," Power said.

Nova Scotia Power warned it could be days before some people's electricity is restored. The lack of power sent dozens of people in search of open Tim Hortons restaurants for breakfast Sunday morning.

About 300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to the Halifax region to help with cleanup, and hundreds more were standing by.