UPDATE: 20-meter-high waves and gusts exceeding 80 kilometers per hour hit Newfoundland

Sunday, October 19, 2014, 5:07 AM - After having a devastating effect on Bermuda, Gonzalo raced through Atlantic Canada.

With the eye of the storm missing the Newfoundland coast by a short distance, the strong winds and heavy rainfall associated with category one hurricane lashed at the eastern province early Sunday morning.

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"Hurricane Gonzalo, at 6 a.m. local time, was 45 km south-south-east of Cape Race, moving north-east at 83 kilometre per hour. With this location, the centre of the eye will not make landfall," said Brian Dillon, meteorologist at The Weather Network. "The benefit of this is the strongest winds will stay offshore. However the heavy rain bands will affect the Avalon this morning."

Sustained winds of 62 km/h were recorded near Cape Race, with peak wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h.

Nearly 50 millimetres of rain were reported in St. John's with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h.

At 6:27 Newfoundland Power reported that unplanned power outages due to severe weather were occurring in the North East Avalon area. A little before 8:30 a.m. all power outages had been fixed.

Heavy rain bands courtesy of Gonzalo prompted rainfall warnings for much of the Avalon peninsula.

"Hurricane Gonzalo approaching from the southwest will pass just southeast of the Avalon Peninsula this morning," Environment Canada said in a statement. "Rain at times heavy and gusty winds will ease later this morning as the storm moves quickly away."

The rainfall warnings were dropped by 10 a.m. local time.

The nasty weather wasn't enough to stop the runners of the 20k race "Cape to Cabot" that carried on despite the hurricane travelling nearby. The course layout takes them from Cape Spear before a final sprint up Signal Hill. Peter Bazeley was the first runner across the finish line.

Additionally, a special weather statement called out the fact that large waves were expected for the Burin Peninsula but the statement ended mid-morning.

"[Large waves] combined with elevated water levels may result in some coastal flooding, especially along southern facing shorelines," Environment Canada said.

Waves of up to 20 meters were also reported off the coast of Newfoundland.

As Gonzalo continues to come in contact with the cold water, it will weaken from Category 1 to a post-tropical storm later this morning.

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After Gonzalo moves out of the area, another system will move in. The Maritimes, including places like Cape Breton are the new target of the storm while parts of Labrador could see stronger winds.