ANTIGONISH – As she steamrolled through Atlantic Canada, Fiona left an indelible mark on the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia.
The aftermath of the weather blast that lashed the region over the weekend includes everything from power outages and gas shortages to fallen trees and raised buildings.
And, along with the devastation, a spirit of community and helping others – signatures of Antigonish town and county – have risen from this harrowing experience.
“I haven’t seen anything like it,” Municipality of the County of Antigonish Warden Owen McCarron – who was born and raised in St. Andrews – said of the storm.
He added, recalling conversations with some older residents, “They don’t remember anything of this magnitude.”
Town of Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher agreed.
“It is something I haven’t see or experienced before,” she said.
Stressing that she is not minimizing what many people have gone through – and the clean-up and recovery they face – Boucher offered, “We have fared out okay,” considering there were no serious injuries or fatalities.
“We know that there are a lot of people having a difficult time,” she added, noting that municipal officials will be there to assist in any way they can in their recovery.
Describing it as a “devastating storm,” McCarron said there is “extensive damage” throughout the county, while estimating that more than 75 per cent of residents were still without power on Monday afternoon (Sept. 26).
“It has really, really been a struggle – it’s been tough,” the veteran municipal councillor added, noting how upsetting it has been to see the damage in the county.
Antigonish County – and how it has been affected – is a prime example of variations in the level of damage depending on how the winds hit.
In the eastern end of the municipality, District 9 Councillor Harris McNamara said that his communities – such as Havre Boucher, Cape Jack, Linwood and East Tracadie – fared “pretty good,” compared to other areas of the county and town. As an example, he noted that power in the Havre Boucher area had been restored within 16 hours, while most other communities remained in the dark for a third day.
He noted that doesn’t mean there weren’t felled trees and property damage, but it was “not the devastation” found in surrounding areas.
“That was the biggest thing,” McNamara says of the Wharf Road, which was “washed out.”
The Havre Boucher wharf, which he estimates usually has seven feet exposed, was – at one point – “totally submerged,” describing the site as “something else.”
When he spoke to The Journal on Monday afternoon, he pointed out that the heavy rain falling on that day was “creating havoc,” including flooding a stretch of Trans-Canada Highway 104 in Auld’s Cove.
“Houses are flooded in Linwood, and some residents can’t access their houses,” McNamara said.
In neighboring District 8, which includes Monastery and environs, Councillor Gary Mattie noted there were trees down and some damage, but he hadn’t heard of anything “major, by any means.”
He explained that the “major concern” was the “overabundance of water” accumulating, which had rivers in the area exceeding capacity. Proof of that included the flooding of Route 4 by the swelling of Linwood Harbour, along with the entrance roadway to Our Lady of Grace Monastery being swallowed up by the surrounding waterway. On Monday afternoon, a newly formed waterway flowed along Trans-Canada Highway 104.
Driveways in areas such as East Havre Boucher had also been flooded.
On the other end of the expansive municipality – in coastal areas, such as Arisaig (where the highest winds of the storm were registered) and Cape George – Fiona bashed the shoreline and local wharfs.
Let there be light
Power – specifically, the lack of it – topped the list of immediate priorities for Boucher and McCarron when they spoke to The Journal on Monday afternoon.
Although it owns and operates its electric utility, the Town of Antigonish relies on Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) infrastructure to feed its system.
During the wait for NSPI to complete its repairs, she explained that town utility staff had been carrying out any necessary repairs, along with removing trees on wires and any other impediments to potential restoration.
Boucher reminded that – once power is restored – there will more than likely be a period where service is sporadic as the system ramps up.
“It has been a long, long struggle,” McCarron said, noting that – considering it had reached the third day without electricity for many residents – losses, such as spoiled food, were piling up. He noted that only the generosity of friends and neighbours with generators was preventing the number of such incidences from being even higher.
Late Tuesday morning (Sept. 27), the Antigonish Town and County Emergency Management Team (EMT) issued a press release that provided an update on the power situation, explaining that the town’s electric utility, together with NSPI, was able to restore power throughout parts of town and in the fringe area of Antigonish.
At 8 p.m. on Monday, the NSPI substation in Lochaber was powered up to serve areas of Highway 7, Post Rd. and James St., ensuring residents access to food and fuel. Between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Braemore and Cloverville substations came online and started providing power to the majority of town residents.
“Crews have been working tirelessly to get power back to customers of the Antigonish Electric Utility. Our priority was to get the grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants restored; and, of course, the hospital and long-term care homes,” Boucher said in the Sept. 27 press release.
She added, “At this point in time, more residents have power than not, and they continue to work get everyone back online.”
There are “several isolated areas,” as the release described, that remained without power by midday Tuesday.
Officials added that there are 15 to 40 individual customers with damaged service entrances that require repairs by an electrician.
The priority area on Tuesday, they said, would be the Interval area and Hillcrest St., because they are home to senior care facilities.
Noting that “repairs are extensive,” the EMT indicated that further restoration times were “unknown at this time.” It said updates would be provided to residents as they became available.
As for communities in Antigonish County, McCarron said, “We are still seeing widespread outages.”
He added, in the same EMT press release, “There are more than 5,000 customers in Antigonish County without power with varying estimated restorations over the coming days. We are continuing to work with Nova Scotia Power to identify those restoration times.”
Municipal officials encouraged residents to check out their outage status at http://outagemap.nspower.ca/external/default.html or by calling 1-877-428-6004.
Gas pains
One of the myriad effects of the power outages is access to fuel; without electricity, service stations in Antigonish – for the most part – had been unable to pump gas.
“It is becoming a huge issue,” McCarron said, prior to the power restoration announcement, noting its importance not only for keeping vehicles running, but also the much-used generators.
He explained that MacDonald’s Convenience in St. Andrews was able to continue providing fuel, but the independent dealer eventually ran out of supply. One of the last bastions for those running on fumes was Bayside at Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. At one point, McCarron noted that – although they had exhausted their supply – they had received another shipment. Nevertheless, the options for people across Antigonish County and in town were limited.
Concern for farmers
In reflecting on the variety of concerns moving forward, as the recovery process continues, McCarron offered that the agriculture industry in the county has been “devastated,” noting the heavy damage to barns, silos and other infrastructure.
“They are going to be significantly impacted,” he said of the key economic driver in the municipality.
McCarron added, “Buildings have been ripped off their moorings.”
With plastic that encases sileage ripped to shreds, he explained there is the danger of spoilage.
And, with the fall harvest on the horizon, McCarron noted the corn crop – a key component of the food supply for dairy farmers – has been threatened severely.
Representatives of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture announced it could be months before the depth of how Fiona has affected the industry can be measured.
Costly clean-up
One common theme – whether it is at the municipal, business or household levels – is that the recovery from Fiona will be a costly one.
“It is going to be expensive,” McCarron said.
On Monday afternoon, he and Boucher were anxiously awaiting a press conference later in the day, one where Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston was expected to announce provincial financial assistance. When he took the podium, amongst the measures announced was $100 for low-income earners who were without power for more than 48 hours and lost food to spoilage. There is also $250 available for those who need assistance with the clean-up of their property.
Before those options were announced, Boucher said that there are residents who will need help with the removal of debris, particularly trees. She noted that, if such clean-ups do not take place, they can become fire hazards.
They said municipal officials and staff would be available to help residents navigate the application process for assistance.
Along with provincial monies, they are keeping an eye on – and lobbying for – what could be coming from the federal government.
The ‘good news’
Despite the ordeal of recent days, there has been some “good news,” as Boucher described it, including the incredible volunteer effort that has been a key to helping people make it through these trying times.
“People came through in Antigonish, as they always do,” she said.
A prime example of that sense of community has been on display at community comfort centres, including one established at the Antigonish County Volunteer Fire Department hall on Beech Hill Rd., which provided hot and cold beverages, snacks, meals and charging stations to more than 1,000 visitors on Sunday.
With the 72-hour period winding down – the common timeline suggested for people to follow, when it comes to emergency preparedness – Boucher noted that comfort centre traffic was increasing; residents are starting to feel more anxious and isolated.
“People have been able to socialize,” she explained of other less tangible benefits of the location.
Boucher suggested that people have been provided with an “outlet to release [their] fears.”
“The good news is that volunteers – once again – have stepped up,” McCarron said.
He related the story of an older couple who had their driveway blocked by debris and fallen trees, including their sense of relief and gratitude for a neighbour who came by and cleaned up.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” McCarron said, noting such efforts continue to be a commonplace.
When it comes to providing a helping hand, assistance has not only come from next door or around the corner, but also across the continent. Boucher explained that – over the weekend – a California-based group called World Central Kitchen arrived in Antigonish. Members travel to areas dealing with or in the aftermath of natural disasters. And, since their arrival – with the help of Mark and Karen Gabrieau of Gabrieau’s Bistro, who have not only provided the kitchen space, but also assistance with preparations – the visitors had made 400 dinners and 400 suppers – on two consecutive days – for people in need of nourishment.
“They have been incredible,” Boucher said.
And, amongst the volunteers helping to package and deliver the meals on Monday afternoon were StFX X-Women and X-Men student-athletes; just another example of how they give back to the community.
“We really appreciate everything that people are doing to help out,” McCarron said.
Stay the course
Along with being there for each other – a signature trait for those who call Antigonish home – people have shown their ability to deal with challenging times.
“Everyone has been extremely patient,” McCarron said.
Boucher agreed.
And, although they understand that with each passing hour, particularly without power, upset increases, they asked residents to continue to be patient.
“We know that people will come through,” McCarron said.
Boucher credits residents for “generally, being very patient” throughout the ordeal.
