Post Fiona damage in the St. Peter’s Area

Some pics of photos we took the day(s) after Hurricane Fiona in September 2022

Hurricane Fiona 3

 

Washed out Confederation Trail directly in front of the Inn. In the weeks following, it was re-built and the Trail cleared of downed trees.

The area at the end of the Bay was flooded but the waters receeded within 24 hours, leaving behind much seaweed, rocks, driftwood, tree trunks, and even fishing equipment.

The St. Peter’s Community rallied together, with the Firehall open daily for food, coffee, warmth and company. The Community Hall prepared evening meals for residents who were without power.

Many roads were impassable. This is us driving towards Goose River, the left tire rack you see is the right hand edge of road, the right wheel track is in the ditch - trees covered the roads. We went to assist friends whose laneway was completely tree covered - much like this photo, and no one wants to be like that for long in case of an emergency!
Many roads were impassable. This is us driving towards Goose River, the left tire rack you see is the right hand edge of road, the right wheel track is in the ditch – trees covered the roads. We went to assist friends whose laneway was completely tree covered – much like this photo, and no one wants to be like that for long in case of an emergency!
Hurricane Fiona shoreline
Shorelines are not the same …
Hurricane damage to trees
Hurricane damage to trees – this will be a familiar site for some time to come.

Hurricane Fiona, September 24, 2022

It’s always a bit breezy in the Bay, but not like that! Hurricane Fiona was well predicted, and in hindsight – we were well prepared, but, nothing really prepares you to ride out a Hurricane!

We fared out reasonably well all things considered! Much tree damage and loss, some shingles that needed replacing, and some indoor mop-ups from the Bay facing windows that didn’t keep the rains out, but it could have been worse!

We were four in the house – myself and Rodger, and we had 2 Inn guests from Manhattan, who couldn’t get a flight out. At 2 am, whatever was happening outside, it was loud enough to wake us all up, and that was it for rest that night! The winds were so loud it was like a freight train running through the house… and it kept up for 24 hours……. We abandoned upstairs bedrooms and retreated to the south side of the house (owners quarters), and took up the couch, armchair, and a cot in the kitchen (close to the beer drawer Rodger pointed out!)

When morning light came were were shocked to see mature trees down all over, just missing the house by inches – and these were probably 100+ years old – tumbled over at the roots! We were fortunate that we had just installed a generlink (generator) two weeks prior, something we were working on before the hurricane forecast, so although we were 5 or 6 days without power (it’s a blur!), we were able to stay warm, shower, and cook. Our internet remained stable for about 6 hours the next day, and we had a glimpse of the surroundings via Facebook, and to check in on friends, let family know were were ok , with text and FB, then internet went down. Unless the generator was on and CBC radio was tuned it, it was a closed environment with little info. For a week we didn’t venture farther than about 5 km, so what a shock to us, as we drove to Charlottetown airport a week later to return to Ontario for a family wedding , to see the damage on that drive….

We remain grateful that no lives were lost on the Island – it was one for the history books in my view!