Residents near Shediac deal with damage from Fiona
More than two days after Fiona, Anne Godin faces the reality that her cottage is lost.
The hurricane swept through southeastern New Brunswick Friday night, affecting many homes along the coast near Shediac.
Godin said his home in Grand-Barachois, about 10 kilometers east of Shediac, was no exception.
« Everything is damaged, there is nothing we can salvage, » she said.
“25 years of memories with my friends and my family, my children… it’s hard.
Mud still covered the floor of his home on Monday with water spots about a foot wide on the interior walls.
Godin said the whole house had shifted from its foundation.
She said she was optimistic as the storm approached and thought it would be similar to Dorian in 2019, but it was worse.
Godin said he first saw how serious the situation was when photos of the community began to surface on Facebook.
“I just cried…I loved this place so much,” Godin said, “I called it my little paradise.”
Jacinthe LeBlanc, a resident of the community, said her cottage was one of the lucky few to have only lost shingles and siding, but she is heartbroken for her neighbours.
She said most of the cabins in her community are a total loss.
« We’re a tight-knit community, so it’s really devastating to see that. »
LeBlanc said every house in the strip of cottages closest to the beach had a yard with grass, but now it’s completely covered in sand.
In Grand-Barachois, New Brunswick, residents found homes and cottages toppled from their foundations, piles of broken glass and flooding after Storm Fiona.
« The whole beach has moved, even a few meters from the cottages. »
LeBlanc said three to five meter waves crashed into the cottages at high tide on Saturday morning.
She said the community was still in disbelief.
« Dorian hit us hard too, but nothing like it, » LeBlanc said, « Dorian never moved on. »
She said the community came together to help each other clear roof shingles, trees and beach debris from roads and properties.
Brent Dufoe said he couldn’t drive to his cottage because a house that was moved from its foundation is now blocking the access road.
Her cabin had glass railings that were destroyed by the wind and about eight inches of water flooded her basement.
« Almost everyone suffered damage, » Dufoe said.
‘Could have been worse’
Pam Novak of the Atlantic Wildlife Institute near Sackville said the center suffered damage from the hurricane.
« There was definitely some damage, but it could have been a lot worse, » Novak said. Gap« We’re actually quite lucky and grateful. »
Quarter – N.B.10:21Atlantic Wildlife Institute: Fiona Damage
We contact Pam Novak at the Atlantic Wildlife Institute near Sackville. They suffered some damage, but it certainly could have been much worse.
Novak said the center’s primary focus was the safety of staff and animals, and luckily no one was injured.
She said an outdoor duck enclosure and storage unit had been damaged by trees, which Novak said will take a few days to fix.
Novak said the center was still without power Monday afternoon, and Novak was told not to expect power for another two or three days.
“Obviously that complicates things,” she said.
« For now, we’re keeping everyone as warm and comfortable as possible and just keeping stress levels low. »
cbc
