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Monday 9 September 2019

A Dorian experience

This past weekend, eastern Canada experienced hurricane Dorian as she tore her way across the Atlantic provinces. Saturday into Sunday was a scary time for many on Prince Edward Island as the rain and winds lashed the island for hours before they began to subside on Sunday morning. It was our worst weather experience ever.


If one can prepare for such an event, we were prepared. My husband had braced the patio deck and acquired gas for the generator which had been tested. We had taken in the patio furniture or tied it to the deck. The garbage and compost bins were inside too. Food was well stocked without a special trip to the store as was water. We were ready.


I imagine the Bahamians thought they were ready too.


The rain and wind started by 11 a.m., several hours earlier than forecast. They only intensified as the day progressed. By the time our daughter was driving home from work at 7:30 p.m., trees were across the roads, requiring a change of route.


The power was out by the time she arrived home and we lost power shortly after. We used the generator. She doesn’t have one.


Homes in PEI have a sump pump system to pump out water from basements. The high water table on the island makes such a system necessary. With a loss of power, the sump pump doesn’t work of course. It is the main reason we have a generator, to continue to pump out water when necessary. After we completed the basement remodel, we didn’t want to worry about water damage from a loss of power.


Our daughter spent several hours dipping water out of the sump drain to ensure her basement didn’t flood. She’d have to continue all night except her power came back on and stayed on, an unexpected relief.


There were times overnight when I thought the roof was going to lift off the house. However we survived the night without any major damage. The new metal roof prevented shingle loss on our house though shingles are strewn around the neighbourhood from houses nearby. Some houses look like a zipper opened to remove siding.


Trees are down over lawns, cars and houses, houses are damaged, as are fences, patio decks and much more. It will take days for power to be restored everywhere and things to get back to normal across the island. However, we are lucky.


The images of the total destruction in parts of the Bahamas from the same storm at Category 5 are unbelievable. I can only imagine the terror of those poor people as they tried to survive the incredible wind and water from rain and storm surge. All we can do is financially support relief efforts to help those who remain. 

 

P.S. Power in our neighbourhood was out 22 hours. It will be longer for other parts of our city.


22 comments:

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a dreadfully scary experience Marie. Seeing the damage in the Bahamas was unbelievable! I cannot imagine how it must feel to see your house ripped apart ✨

Debbie said...

oh marie, this is so scary!! i did not realize that the storm continued north with such vengeance!! we watched in fear as in came up the coast, but we were spared, unlike so many other people!!

during super storm sandy, we lost our power for at least 8 days...we were lucky to have a generator and plenty of gas as the gas stations ran out. that was the worst storm i have ever experienced, i hope i never see one like it again!!!

Angela said...

Oh dear that sounds terrible! Stuff that nightmares are made of. Praying for everyone who have any type of damages. It is indeed scary!

Sandy said...

OMG......I had no idea it had hit that area. I missed that in all the coverage. So glad you were safe and had no damage and didn't have to go too long without power. Thankfully your daughter was able to maintain as well. Scary times for so many. So sad so much devastation.

William Kendall said...

It certainly was a powerful storm. You were lucky.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

These are scary storms. I am glad no one in your family was hurt . I hope everyone recovers quickly. It is no fun going without electric and the horrible floods. Take care! Happy Monday, wishing you a great day and happy new week!

Bill said...

The experience sounds like your worst nightmare. Glad no one was hurt. I do hope people will recover quickly and can put this experience behind them.

Mage said...

So glad you made it thru with your roof and trees intact.

Barbara said...

I saw that it was headed up your way but I never imagined it would still be so strong when it reached you. I'm glad you rode it out so well. It was an awfully strong Hurricane for so early in the year but I think the hot summer affected the water temperature and it just built and built.

Anonymous said...

I heard you had the bad weather...glad you survived! Andrea

Joanne Noragon said...

Yes, you were fortunate. And that's all I can think to say. PEI is an island, too. And like everyone else, you prepared. No preparation could save the Bahamas. Tragic.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The destructive force in these storms is unimaginable. I am thankful you were kept safe during this time.

Rose said...

I cannot imagine living through what you lived through, much less those in the Bahamas. I am glad you survived with no major damage. And so glad the power came back on for your daughter. That would have sure been a job to dip water for 22 hours...

Retired Knitter said...

I watched the course of this storm and could not believe how slow and how strong it was. There is nothing you can do in a Cat 5 but pray - and get out of the way. But on an island - all you can do is pray. When I saw it heading your way I couldn't help thinking - this storm may be a first for those that far north. Glad you survived it with little damage.

Shammickite said...

I'm so glad you're Ok and you managed by using your generator and you were prepared with food, water etc. But so many people have suffered so much destruction, especially in the Bahamas. A very frightening experience.

photowannabe said...

Wow, thank you for your update...how scary for you but nothing compares to the Bahamas.
Glad you have a generator. and were prepared.
I can't even fathom what that must be like.

Catarina said...

I was thinking of you and waiting for this post. Terrible. Scary. I saw pictures of flat corn fields, collapsed roofs, power lines down...

Anvilcloud said...

What an experience., hopefully not to be repeated anytime soon.

baili said...

Oh this is so scary to even hear dear Marie !

your words me put on your place ,it is terrifying experience indeed ,nature is is always diverse in her moods and surprises

i am at peace that storm went away without causing much harm my friend
please stay safe !

jenny_o said...

I'm glad you got through the storm safely, Marie. I was surprised at how much damage there was in PEI and indeed even other parts of Nova Scotia. It's like we were in a cocoon and were untouched (except for losing power). Not everyone was as lucky.

Danielle L Zecher said...

I'm glad you came through the storm relatively unscathed. I didn't realize there was so much damage that far up. It's hard to wrap your head around one hurricane damaging so many different places. Here's hoping the rest of hurricane season is quiet.

Jenn said...

So scary, glad you are ok!