Halifax family looking for new home after Fiona destroys apartment building

A family of seven in Halifax are among those still looking for a home after post-tropical storm Fiona destroyed their building.

Fiona moved through the area from Friday night through Saturday with hurricane-force winds.

When Jonathan Misener first awoke to the sound of a storm early Saturday morning, he had no idea what awaited him and his family.

‘I could see a pile of wood and debris outside, broken utility poles above the vehicles, but couldn’t really make out what was what. It was pitch black,” he said.

Daylight revealed just how much damage had been done.

The powerful storm had completely ripped the roof off their building in Spryfield.

“Pieces of our roof in everyone’s areas, like in their yard, on their cars. He went through someone else’s roof,” Misener said.

The blended family of seven was evacuated with only a backpack of personal effects each.

Their building has now been condemned, excluding the family and their insurance company. Four days later, they are still at the Canada Games Center emergency shelter in the Halifax suburb of Clayton Park.

« We’re not allowed to go back to our apartment because there’s more ceiling collapsing, » Misener said.

« It’s even unfit to enter to retrieve anything. »

While the family is grateful for their safety, mom Bryana Marcina says it’s been a tough day.

“We don’t even have an answer for our children. They ask us: ‘Hey, where are we going?’ « , did she say.

“They ask us something basic: ‘What are we eating?’ I do not know. »

The Canadian Red Cross runs the shelter and says the space will be open until the 27 people using it have found alternative accommodation.

“We try to communicate with them as much as possible, just to know that when they wake up in the morning they have a place to spend the night. But we take it day to day because plans can change quickly,” said Kelsie Meaden, Emergency Management Coordinator.

Misener says the current housing crisis has added to their struggle. The family opened a GoFundMe fundraising account in hopes of getting back on their feet.

“Financially, if we have enough to pay the rent, then I mean it’s still hard to find accommodation but we’re trying. We watch. If there’s anyone out there who knows or could help, that would be great,” Misener said.

Marcina says she exhausted all of their options by calling property managers and landlords.

« We try to reach out to whoever we can to tell our story, » she said.

« (We) hope someone can understand that we have five amazing kids and we need a place. »

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Tenants still displaced from two Halifax buildings damaged by Fiona