Hurricane Earl Rakes Nova Scotia Special

Liverpool - Hurricane Earl made landfall at Western Head, on the south shore of Nova Scotia today at 11:00 AST. The south shore of the province took the hardest punch from the storm as high winds and pounding surf took their toll.

Nova Scotia was hit today by Hurricane Earl, a category 1 hurricane. It was quickly downgraded to a tropical storm approximately 45 minutes after landfall. As of about 4:30 p.m. AST over 100,000 homes were without power as the storm knocked down tree branches and power poles.

Ellen Vaughan/with permission

Early Saturday morning as Earl was about to make landfall, just off Liverpool, Nova Scotia

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Gusts of 130 km per hour were recorded in many areas in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia was spared a direct hit when the storm took a last minute turn east and skirted the south shore before making landfall.

Ellen Vaughan/with permission

Hurricane Earl churning the Atlantic as it skirted up the south shore of Nova Scotia.

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RCMP closed the road to Peggy's Cove to prevent thrill seekers from entering the iconic tourist attraction which has claimed many lives from large waves sweeping onlookers to their deaths. Storm watchers for the Weather Network said the waves were rolling in at over 11 meters, some over 4 stories high. Local news is reporting one drowning death, but it has not been confirmed. Numerous flights at airports across the Maritimes were cancelled or delayed. Hurricane Earl was the first major storm of the Hurricane season to make it to Canadian shores. Hurricane season will end in November, with September being the most active month. The remnants of Earl are now heading toward Newfoundland.