Storm threatens holiday N.L. deliveries

Christmas presents, groceries and tons of products continued to accumulate Wednesday on a Nova Scotia wharf, as Marine Atlantic scrubbed more crossings across the Cabot Strait.

The Crown corporation, which runs the ferry service connecting southern Newfoundland with Nova Scotia, said stormy weather would keep ferries docked until at least Thursday.

Crossings have been cancelled since Monday night.

Marine Atlantic said its ferries will run on a load-and-go basis when weather conditions are safe enough to allow crossings.

The backlog at the terminal in North Sydney is so bad that Marine Atlantic has been turning away commercial traffic bound for Newfoundland. Trucks have also waiting at Port aux Basques for voyages to Nova Scotia.

Meanwhile, Canada Post said customers in Newfoundland should count on delays in the days ahead, as five transport trucks loaded with regular delivery mail were already on the dock at North Sydney.

"As soon as the ferry crossings resume, we're going to make every effort to make sure parcels are delivered in time for the holidays, and we have contingency plans ready to go when the ferry crossings resume," said Canada Post communications manager Denise Corra.

Canada Post said the problems with the ferry service are not affecting delivery of parcels sent by express and priority post.

Marine Atlantic is hoping that high winds that have caused power outages and other problems in much of Atlantic Canada will subside by Thursday.