SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It was the recipe for disaster.
Heavy rainfall in a short period of time, trees with large root systems and heavy foliage, and extreme wind gusts left dozens of trees toppled on city roadways, parks and trail systems.
"We're out there assessing the damage. We're discovering more as we go," said JP Desrosiers the director of Community Services for the City of Summerside on Monday afternoon.
With four areas of downed trees from the lighthouse at MacKenzie Drive to the end of the city's popular boardwalk alone, there is lots to do to ensure the safety of citizens.
"The boardwalk is still open, and we've got crews working to clear the areas. "
Rotary Friendship Park is a different story.
Until staff has assessed the damage and cleared away and dangerous downed trees and debris, it will remain closed.
"There is so much milage in there, we need to make sure there are no dangerous trees before we can open it up. We're hoping to have it completed in the next few days."
Meadow Heights Park and Leger Park are the next two facilities on the list to clear and repair.
"Other than that, things are OK. There's some light damage at our tennis courts. The CUP (Credit Union Place) is working at capacity, and the community centres held up."
Desrosiers said there is a pre-storm protocol the city runs over before any major weather event.
"It's a checklist - we remove any flags and hanging baskets that are around. If there are any trees that we know about that could be a danger we assess them."
He said residents have been great to report any fallen trees and power lines.
"All we can ask is they be patient during this process."
Roads closed on due to hurricane Dorian
- Route 13 (Crapaud to Brookvale)
- Fredericton Station Road to Route 264
- Alleys Mill Road - Route 4 to Wharf Road - Route 321
Across the province
Stephen Szwarc, the acting director of the highway maintenance division for the province agreed.
"We've got 40-plus crews out there dealing with the debris and fallen trees right now. The initial cleanup is pretty much over with, but the secondary, which will be cleaning the debris we've moved from the roads into the ditches will take some time."
Szwarc said there are five roads on the Island closed at this time. Two of which were closed before hurricane Dorian. The other three are closed because there are dangerous areas of downed trees and electrical wiring.
"Maritime Electric is working in those areas because it's not safe for us to be there right now."
Szwarc said he hasn't received any phone calls about washed out or fallen bridges yet, but it could happen.
Crews from highway maintenance responded to calls throughout Saturday's storm until it was no longer safe to do so.
"If Islanders see any downed trees or debris they should call the dispatch office and for more information, they should look to the 511 website or download the 511 app."
As of Monday afternoon, Kensington was still in darkness, but crews from the town's municipal works department still have a busy week ahead of them.
"It's been an eventful couple of days. There are a lot of fallen trees in the road right-of-ways, around the rink and the seniors' centre, as well as the Kensington railway station area.
"There are also three downed trees along the trail system. One also fell on the pool. But we've not been able to get in there to determine the exact extent of the damage," said Geoff Baker, the Chief Administrative Officer for the town.
He said, luckily, the central infrastructure fared well.
"We had a man stationed down at the sewage lagoon for a portion of the storm. We've also been assessing the water tower tank levels to make sure there is enough water for the town."
Baker and the town's mayor, Rowan Caseley, said the burning question is when the area could get the electricity back.
"The first 24-hours are fine. Then after 48-hours people start to get a bit impatient. Now I imagine that will be the case. We're just looking for answers if we need to be prepared for 72 [hours] or longer," said Caseley.
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