The central Newfoundland town of Badger has lifted a precautionary local state of emergency it had declared on Tuesday in the face of tropical storm Leslie.

Mayor Michael Patey said emergency measures had been put in place because of concern over the town's old water storage tower, which has been condemned for some time.

A fire truck kept residents away from the area surrounding an empty water tower the mayor feared could have collapsed in heavy winds. A fire truck kept residents away from the area surrounding an empty water tower the mayor feared could have collapsed in heavy winds. (CBC)

He said because the tower is empty, there was a risk it could have become unstable or collapsed in high winds.

Several homes near the 25-metre tower had been evacuated, but residents were allowed to return later Tuesday afternoon.