Tropical Storm Leslie slams into Newfoundland, Canada

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 8:16 AM

Newfoundland, Canada (AP) — The Canadian Hurricane Centre says the centre of Tropical Storm Leslie has made landfall in Fortune, Newfoundland.

Meteorologist Bob Robichaud said that the potent storm touched down at about 8:30am AST (7:30am EST) as it continued to barrel north-northeast.

He said a swath of the province from Fortune on the Burin Peninsula all the way east to St John's on the Avalon Peninsula was getting pounded with stiff winds and heavy rains.

Winds were still building, with the St John's airport recording hurricane-force gusts of up to 81 mph (131 kph), while waves were reaching 30 feet at an offshore buoy.

There were widespread power outages in St John's and communities along the south eastern coast of the Avalon Peninsula.

Heavy rains also drenched province's western portion.

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