Environment Canada warned of rip currents, rapidly changing water levels and heavy rainfall in parts of Atlantic Canada as Hurricane Gert glanced the region Thursday.
The national weather forecaster said while Gert would not have a direct impact on the Atlantic provinces, long-period swells of up to three metres were expected along the southern coast of Newfoundland Thursday evening, with the highest waves likely along the Avalon peninsula.
“With the combination of the higher waves and swells associated with Gert, it may result in some minor flooding,” said meteorologist Linda Libby.
READ MORE: Hurricane Gert to bring ‘2- to 3-metre’ waves and rip currents to Nova Scotia
Dangerous rip currents were possible, Libby said, so residents were warned to be cautious while swimming.
“Obviously we want to keep everyone safe and secure here, so why take the risk if we’re going to get these swells and enhanced waves occurring on the backside of Gert,” Libby said.
Eli Grant has visited the beach at Lawrencetown a few times and returned once again with his parents when he heard about the waves.
This time around, he said swimming required much more precaution because the waves — normally the same size as him — was above his head this time.
“It was a lot of fun as long as you’re being safe, because a few times I went under and it was a bit hard to get up, but it was still really fun,” Grant said.
Grant’s mom, Kim, told Global News she stayed on shore this time due to colder water and waves a little bit “too big for my comfort level.”
She said she was happy to watch her children and husband enjoy the water, but had given them tips including to swim sideways if they were caught in a riptide.
WATCH: Hurricane Gert didn’t hit Nova Scotia directly but the riptides and swells that came with the storm attracted hundreds of people to a popular beach on Thursday
Gert was also expected to cause a series of rapid changes in water levels in harbours and inlets in eastern Newfoundland for a few hours late Thursday.
The weather conditions resulted in hundreds visiting Lawrencetown beach, many of them to catch the waves like surfer Michel Moussette from Quebec.
Moussette came to the beach with his daughter Iris and said the hurricane means great waves for surfing.
“We lucked out and today they’re great waves,” he said. “The only problem, there’s a sidewind that’s really really strong so the waves are not perfect but we’re enjoying our time in the sun.”
Trevor Jennings said the conditions for surfing, while not in peak season, were still good.
“I would say B-minus, probably. It was definitely good to see some good waves,” he said. “I was only out there for like an hour-and-a-half … but it makes for a good morning. So thanks to Hurricane Gert for that.”
Libby said conditions from Gert were expected to gradually diminish Thursday into Friday from west to east.
WATCH: Hurricane Gert is making its way along the Atlantic coast of North America and though it won’t hit Nova Scotia head on, Global meteorologist Anthony Farnell gives us an idea of the weather conditions we will see.
The strongest winds associated with Gert have exited Newfoundland’s Grand Banks, according to Environment Canada. The forecaster predicted northwesterly offshore winds could reach up to gale-force in the system’s wake.
A rainfall warning has been issued for parts of northeastern Newfoundland, with showers between 40 to 60 millimetres forecasted to last until Friday morning. The heavy downpours could cause flash floods and pooling on roads, the agency said.
—With files from Alexa MacLean and Sean Previl, Global News
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