Aftermath

If what we went through in our part of Nova Scotia on September 7, 2019 was only a “tropical storm”, as some have claimed, then I would never want the misfortune of experiencing a hurricane of any category. But we were one of the lucky ones: no tree damage on our property, and no damage to our Captain’s House. The only harm, if it can be called that, was a bit of spoiled food that met the compost bin after 74 hours of power outage.

However, large limbs and massive trees have fallen all around our area. But only one home in our locality, that I have seen, was seriously damaged. No one was killed.

Watching the storm from the comfort of our living room was awe inspiring and, at times, terror inducing. The rain was steady from early morning awakening until mid-evening. The wind, however, was turned on and off as if on a whim: sometimes gusting, sometimes swirling, sometimes eerily silent and still. The water was likewise still at times; then, at times, rolling relentlessly in from the southeast. But at the worst of the wind, thankfully for us at least, the wind swept in forcefully from the north, taking the waves away from our fragile shoreline. Walls of water careened across the surface.

What is amazing to me is the relative speed with which power and tree clearing crews have been able to address the destruction. For us, having just returned from nine weeks at our off-grid summer cabin, three days without power was almost nothing. We had a woodstove, a barbeque, and candles. And, thanks to an energy efficiency programme that gave us wrapping for our water heater, we had water that stayed remarkably warm for three days.

What is also amazing, and at the same time gratifying, is the resilience of people. Neighbours have cared for and shared with neighbours with wonderful humour and goodwill. Friends from far and wide have made an effort to be in touch and show concern. 

Sometimes, crises can bring out the best in us human beings.