Yes, the rain cleared and wind subsided. The people of Charlottetown came out of their homes to see the damages the storm had left. What they quickly learned was the storm had not just impacted them.
A washout near the eastern entrance of Terra Nova Park left the Trans Canada Highway impassable in both directions. Travellers were stranded, with many displaced staying at the Clode Sound Motel and Restaurant in Charlottetown. Those accommodations quickly reached capacity, and many of the remaining people prepared for a night in the vehicle waiting for the road to re-open.
The local Salvation Army, combined with a number of other community groups and individuals, sprung into action.
Sgt. Major Lester Simmons said the community rallied together to help those stranded. The Grand Orange Lodge was quickly turned into a luncheon hall, with soup and sandwiches served with coffee and tea.
Not all people stranded in their vehicles headed to town for refuge, so volunteers in the community took lunches out to them.
Several people opened their homes, and gave others a place to stay for the night. A dozen or more stranded travellers took advantage of the hospitality, according to Major Lillian Pelley — including a 90-year-old woman and her family who stayed with her. Pelley said they met tourists from Montreal, a couple from Germany, and some people who had moved to Canada from Jamaica in the last few years.
The Salvation Army officer said the community saw the people in need, and wanted to make the best of a difficult situation.
“It is a community effort,” she said. “It has been wonderful.”
The crowd stranded has been very appreciative, she said.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Pelley said. “… When I can reach out like this, and help people who can’t help themselves in a situation, I love it.”
Simmons, who also took in two people from Bonavista, said the residents of Charlottetown recognized the travellers as regular people like themselves who needed a helping hand.
“There were people with children and elderly, and it did get cold last night,” he said. “It wasn’t very comfortable out there in a car,so we wanted to do what we could for them.”
He said the invitation into their homes, and the food and beverages, was a standing one as long as they needed it.
The highway was expected to open later today (Wednesday), but that didn’t mean the people of Charlottetown felt their duty was done. They were serving hot dogs and hamburgers at lunch, after having left the lodge open to anybody who wanted to use it overnight.
Pelley estimates about 40-50 people came through the lodge Tuesday, and likely doubled that today as the word spread.
“We’ll be here as long as we are needed,” she said.
Twitter: TC_CoryHurley
