It was supposed to be a sub-tropical storm for goodness sakes...
But Arthur made his was up the eastern seaboard, and the outer edges of the storm, the most violent winds and rain, hit our part of New Brunswick with full force and stayed stuck there for hours. By the time he left us, fully 90% of the people in our city had no power, including ourselves. And since we are not on the city system, we also had no potable water or sewage.
There were massive lineups at gas stations and shops when they finally opened, everyone came to realize the importance of having some gas in your car, the need for a generator if these weather systems become more frequent (which they appear to be doing) and that if you can't find ice (almost no one could), you cannot eat the contents of your fridge very long.
After 5 days n this situation, we finally gained power last night.
There are still 25,000+ who are going into their 6th day without power.
The damage is everywhere. Fredericton lost over 2000 trees alone, and the damage they created going down was horrible. It is amazing that no one was hurt!
Trees were simply uprooted, as if one was pulling a carrot from the ground:
We lost 4 trees on our property and all of the contents of two fridges and freezers. But thanks to good friends, we showered at others' houses who did have water and were able to eat out.
The biggest pain was that I was working on a small contract that required me to be writing a draft report and continually searched all of the city for WiFi hotspots.
And my back muscles have gotten considerably stronger with picking up the hundreds of huge branches that fell on our property.
I didn't mind a bit not having technology, so it was a nice enforced break!
I have new appreciation for the lives of my grandparents and great-grandparents. And like a good girl scout, I will be getting prepared for the next time..
More cheerful chatter tomorrow! stay safe out there!
xoxo wendy
So fortunate no one was hurt. Wow on all those trees. We went through Hurricane Andrew many years ago in Miami. The entire landscape changed overnight.
ReplyDeleteBB - it is like a bomb exploded! Some streets have no trees left! Fredericton's nicknames is "The City of Stately Elms" and we are BIG into green, so wonder how long till everyone gets planting again!
DeleteOmg Wendy! I had no idea this was happening...I am glad you are all safe but gee whiz look at that damage! Hope the recovery is swift and glad you're back to normal xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Naomi! No worries! No ONE covered this well in Canada, so no surprise no one else heard about it!
DeleteI wondered if you had been hit as Down East lost power and a lot of 7/4 biz. Five days, you get high marks for resilience! We have a generator ( after 3 days in December when it dipped to zero one night), but there is only so much gas you want to keep around the house. Ours is not automatic so was cheaper. Glad you're OK.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about the trees.
Yes, the trees are a shame! And I am now going to be buying a generator....
DeleteSame as CSW, I had no idea whatever!! I am happy to read you are all safe and sound. I wish you well and that things will get in order as quick as possible. Take Care.
ReplyDeletethanks Steph!
DeleteWow -- those pictures are incredible -- glad to hear no lasting damage to you guys. And despite being a WiFi Forager ... great to be working on a contract project?
ReplyDeleteHi M! The contract has been fun, but a lot of work! I wasn't going to do contact work, but then realized that I could really help the organiZation, so I relented!
DeleteSo sad about the trees, I always find it so upsetting to drive around after a storm and see uprooted trees. And four in your own garden, I feel like going out to hug mine now.
ReplyDeleteIt was sad and we live in the middle of the forest, for goodness sakes!
DeleteHi Wendy, I've been wondering how you fared in the storm. Clearly the last few days have been very difficult. Glad to hear that you have your power back now - that's so tough about the food and the trees. Will you be investing in a generator for the future? It does seem that these major weather occurrences are becoming more common.
ReplyDeletePatricia - definitely getting a generator before winter! And you are right about these happening more and more and more...
DeleteWe are eying a bigger generator now!!
ReplyDeleteOnce the excitement dies down, we are definitely getting one...
DeleteI hadn't heard about this storm and I watch the news every evening. So sad about the trees but good no one was injured. Sounds liike you came through it despite the challenges. A generator sounds like a wise investment.
ReplyDeleteI find it so odd that the national media didn't cover it! The greatest power outage in NB history!
DeleteGlad to hear no one was hurt! The weather is becoming more and more extreme. I am looking at investing in one of those big batteries from Canadian Tire, so that we can at least run some stuff when (not if!) we lose power.
ReplyDeleteSo relieved nobody got hurt! Very sad about the lost trees and lost power, Wendy. I was wondering where you were!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh - heck _ I just read about this on someone else's blog. Arthur is the name of my father and he'll have hell to pay for all these toppled trees. Stay safe my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about all of the damage to the trees but so glad that nobody was hurt. A generator sounds very nice for emergencies. As you said, getting gas is important as well as extra water/non perishable foods and cash if you have the luxury of advanced warning prior to a potential weather emergency.
ReplyDeleteOh how awful! Other than their loss, I hope the trees did not do too much damage when they fell. It's a tough job to take care of trees -- even with careful pruning and attention, I am always on the fence about whether it would be safer to just take certain (giant red oaks) trees down... I'm glad your city is getting close being up and running again!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, so glad you're safe!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and yours are safe. I can always tell when someone grew up in a hurricane-prone area, there are candles everywhere, sometimes tactfully disguised as part of the decor, sometimes out on a shelf with books, and naturally with matches under every sink.
ReplyDeleteAfter the dreadful first sight, storms have kind of an energizing can-do effect in the clean-up and repairs. And the organizing of hot water for coffee and tea becomes a neighborhood event.
Keep us posted!
xxx
I am so sorry to read the ordeal you, your family and Eastern Canada has gone through! Glad you are well!
ReplyDelete