Canada's east coast battered by storms

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Atlantic Canada is facing a new storm Wednesday as it cleans up the damage from storm surges and high winds.

Tuesday's storm left washed-out roads, submerged wharves and thousands of people without power in the four Maritime provinces, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The east coast of New Brunswick suffered the worst damage, a trail of ruin from Shediac to the northern city of Miramichi.

Storm surges closed more than a dozen roads on Prince Edward Island. The Confederation Bridge is closed to trucks, and Christmas supplies are stranded on the New Brunswick side of the Northumberland Strait.

More storm damage looms Wednesday, with winds again expected to exceed 55 mph, Environment Canada warned. Winds could ease late Wednesday before kicking up Thursday.

"These very strong northeast winds have created a significant storm surge along east-facing coasts in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which combined with very large pounding surf and a run of high tides, has created unusual and dangerous conditions in the coastal zone," the agency said.

New Brunswick Tuesday advised coastal residents to be prepared to move to higher ground.