Stephenville, N.L., residents prepare for possible evacuation, military en route to assess WW II-era explosive

The ithiel town of Stephenville is advising residents close the RCMP disengagement to be prepared for possible evacuation, as the canadian river Armed Forces train to assess a possible Second World War-era explosive found on a nearby beach.

The town said military explosive disposal experts are expected to arrive Thursday at 8:00 p.m. NT. For now, the potential explosive remains secured and is being monitored by the RCMP.

A voluntary preparedness zone of about 100 meters around Oregon Drive remains in effect.

If the military determines the explosive poses an increased risk to new areas, the town said door-to-door notification will be done immediately.

Those areas may include Delaware Drive, Alabama Drive, Wyoming Drive, Texas Drive, Carolina Avenue, Tennessee Drive, Maine Drive and Massachusetts Drive.

To prepare for an evacuation, the town advises that residents and businesses should be ready to leave on short notice, and to gather essential items such as medications, identification and important documents.

If evacuation does occur, the town will ask that residents register at a reception center located at the Stephenville Lions Club.

The town also advises that residents should make arrangements for temporary accommodations, keep mobile devices charged, and monitor official communications.

"The Town of Stephenville stands ready, if necessary, to declare a localized State of Emergency limited to the affected streets to ensure public safety and coordinate emergency response efforts," the town said in a news release.

The town also says the province is coordinating with the military, and has activated the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre with level 1 enhanced monitoring.

Premier Tony Wakeham is quoted in the news release, saying the safety of Stephenville residents is a top priority.

"Our government is working closely with the Town of Stephenville, the RCMP, and the Canadian Armed Forces to support all necessary precautions while this situation is being assessed," said Wakeham.

The police were helping residents who wanted to evacuate.

The suspected military shell was discovered on a nearby St. George's beach and turned over to police on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday, Stephenville Mayor Bob Byrnes said police "just want to take every precaution just in case this thing happens to explode."

RCMP believe it's likely a Second World War-era artillery shell, but are waiting for national military experts to confirm later today, said media relations officer Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey.

RCMP went door-to-door overnight and early Thursday morning near Oregon Drive in Stephenville, where the munition is being stored. Police say they warned people about the risk and are helping them voluntarily evacuate.

There are several apartments nearby the police detachment, said Byrnes.

He did not know how many people chose to evacuate.

Byrnes said the man who found the potential shell picked it up and brought it to his house before turning it over to RCMP.

"It's not a big bomb obviously, because I mean the person brought it to his house," Byrnes said.

"It's not something, you know, that if it did explode it's going to wipe out a whole neighbourhood or anything."

O'Donaghey said National Defence experts from Nova Scotia are coming to the town Thursday to determine if the device is active and dispose of it.

In the meantime, police say the item is secured and will be "continuously monitored."

The detachment in Stephenville is closed to the public.

Ashley Durley works at the Acadian Hotel, about 200 metres from the police station. She learned the news on Thursday morning.

"It was absolutely terrifying. I didn't like hearing that news at all," said Durley.

She said the police station was cordoned off when she came to work in the morning.

"I think it's really cool because it is part of Newfoundland's history and stuff, but it was a little bit too close to home for me."

A former United States military base was in the area between 1941 and 1966, said Byrnes. He says people have discovered "all kinds of things" buried there since the base closed.

Byrnes warned people not to touch items like this.

"As Newfoundlanders, we have a natural curiosity for this stuff," he said, adding people may bring it home without realizing the potential dangers.

"I'm sure that guy who took it home to his house is getting a good telling off from his wife right now," Byrnes laughed.

Laura Howells is a reporter and radio producer in St. John's. She's worked in Toronto, Hamilton and Whitehorse. Get in touch at laura.howells@cbc.ca.

---

---