A destructive storm brought hurricane-force winds to Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec this weekend, slamming the region with what Environment Canada called “damaging winds, torrential rainfall, large waves and destructive storm surges." 

Hurricane Fiona swept entire structures into the ocean in the town of Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland. Closer to home, flooding occurred in places like Pointe-du-Chêne and Shediac, N.B.

Peak wind gusts reached 179 km/h in parts of Nova Scotia near Antigonish, N.S., and 149 km/h in eastern P.E.I.

At the Moncton airport, winds reached 100 km/hour, according to Environment Canada.

The Sackville area was spared the worst effects of the storm, but the winds uprooted trees and knocked out power for many residents. 

Sackville Fire and Rescue on Saturday warned residents on social media that “many trees are down or unstable, power lines are down and affected and emergency crews are working throughout the area.” 

The Town of Sackville opened the Civic Centre as a warming centre but very few people — perhaps just one or two — ended up using it, according to the municipality. 

The storm also meant cancellations for events like the farmer’s market, and last-minute changes for events including Sackville’s Fall Fair. Concerts that were planned to take place at Bill Johnstone Park were moved into the Sackville Curling Club. 

CHMA spoke to local residents about their experiences over the weekend, starting with Judith Cane, who emceed the Fall Fair on Saturday: