Since Hurricane Igor slammed into Newfoundland on Sept. 21, many lives have been disrupted, landmarks have been changed, and yet another life lesson has been learned. Even though my last Newfoundland column was on the exact topic, I feel it is important to update the interested readers on the recovery process of the hurricane, the effects it has on our fellow Newfoundlanders back home and the efforts of so many individuals. Forecasters have been calling it the hurricane of the century, a historic weather disaster.
The Newfoundland & Labrador government's emergency operations centre has been swamped with calls, receiving more than 800 in one 24-hour period alone. The calls vary from reports of new landslides to appeals for food and shelter. Washed out roads caused many communities to declare states of emergency and supplies such as food and fuel were in fear of depletion. The community of Lawn on the Burin Peninsula was completely out of gasoline at one point. This left many of its 800 residents concerned about medical emergencies, given the fact that they have to drive quite a ways to get to the nearest hospital. The mayor of the town said there were currently three residents who require dialysis treatment.
Hurricane Igor has also left many Newfoundlanders unemployed. For example, the Ocean Choice International Fish Plant in Port Union, which employs more than 200 people, suffered extensive damage. The engine room went under five or six feet of water and the siding was blown off. The road to the loading dock is completely gone. Witnesses said there was just a river running through the plant. Many other businesses in the province also suffered extensive damage, preventing them from their daily operations. This combined with limited road access has left many Newfoundlanders without work.
Canadian Forces soldiers arrived from New Brunswick to help with the relief work such as building bridges. Their first stop was in Trouty and then on to Petite Forte. The soldiers were welcomed with open arms and were even given home baked goods. I saw a soldier being interviewed on the NTV Evening News Hour and he said that they perform many exercises of this nature where they construct bridges but have to demolish them afterwards. He said the soldiers took pride in their work knowing that these bridges would remain there long after they leave. I'm sure they won't be forgotten any time soon by the islanders who took their pictures and had a scatter conversation with the much-welcomed soldiers. They're expected to haul out of the province and head back to their families in New Brunswick on Oct. 7.
The Canadian Navy's HMCS Fredericton arrived in St. John's three days after Hurricane Igor to support several specialized helicopters, which are set to speed repairs and work overnight in the island's most damaged areas. Two more navy ships and at least two Sea King helicopters were also sent to the island loaded with generators, fuel, food and water.
Fewer than 2600 households were still without power by Saturday morning. Those guys worked endlessly trying to repair electricity lines and restore power to its customers.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is unofficially expecting the tally of Igor's damage to reach $100 million. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has offered federal emergency assistance to the province.
There are Newfoundlanders all over the globe and they are willing to help. Charity and aid groups back home are calling on the public to make donations. Many people have contacted the Red Cross, who are grateful for any financial donations. On the Oct. 6 edition of the NTV Evening News Hour, it was reported that North Atlantic gas was donating five cents from every litre of gasoline sold that day for the relief effort. Memorial University students in St. John's were also collecting donations. They were taking everything from a can of beans to spare change. Whatever a student could donate, they were accepting. They wanted to put out a message that every donation matters and a group of people coming together could make a difference.
How sad is it to watch residents who worked hard their whole life to provide for their families and take pride in what is theirs, to lose their homes, jobs, and to start from scratch. All in the blink of an eye. I can't imagine the heartache. Newfoundlanders will indeed help each other and give to one another whatever can be afforded, even if only a shoulder to cry on. This will be a story for the text books, passed on from generation to generation. The young people who witnessed the tragedy of today will be passing it on for years to come. Hurricane Igor of 2010 will not be forgotten any time soon.
