SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Although hurricane Dorian hit P.E.I. more than a month ago, storm clean up is still ongoing in Summerside and for crews of Maritime Electric outside the city.
"We expect we'll be cleaning up for several more weeks," said Kim Griffin, spokesperson for Maritime Electric.
To help with the process, the electric company brought in three more crews to help with trimming and spotting downed or compromised trees.
"Dorian weakened a lot of trees and the fact that it's been so wet and windy, with the event last week and the weather [Wednesday night] it has loosened the roots. The fact that Dorian was hours and hours of sustained gale-force winds was really substantial."
Regardless of the recent weather, she said the electrical system is holding up well.
During the clean-up, crews markdown fallen trees, compromised areas, or possible safety hazards in the company's system. Since each crew has a laptop in its truck, workers can access the notes on the area and know exactly where they are going or dealing with, Griffin explained.
"If it's a safety issue and the tree is in our lines, then its something we will go address."
She said the weather events including the snowstorm on Nov. 29, 2018, that knocked out power transmission across the Island and the electricity supply coming from New Brunswick, were educational.
"It's also been a learning opportunity for customers, some of them have started looking at their property and assessing whether they might want to have a tree taken down, or if a tree's branches run in our wires, and contacting us for assistance."
She asked if customers notice trees growing into the company's power lines they call the utility to notify it so a crew can assess the situation.
Within Summerside, crews from the Parks and Green Spaces department are still clearing debris caused by Dorian.
"Since Dorian, we've removed just shy of 130 trees. It's a sizeable number," said JP Desrosiers, the director of community services for the city.
As a pre-emptive measure, a number of those trees were removed because it appeared their roots systems had been compromised, damaged or loosened.
"Our arborist conducts a visual inspection and based on how the tree moves and if there's any visible damage we've likely taken the tree down. We're airing on the side of caution."
Desrosiers said the recent weather conditions haven't been great.
"But, every time we have a wind event foliage comes off the trees, lessening the weight, and with the winter weather, hopefully, the ground will freeze and secure the root systems and allow them to re-attach."
Of the parks in the city, Meadow Heights, the boardwalk area near MacKenzie Drive, and Rotary Friendship Park were hit hardest.
"Meadow Heights lost 31 trees. There are about 25 to 27 lost at the boardwalk. And crews are still assessing Rotary park. So far the trails have been cleared of trees blocking them. We're also looking at 20-feet on either side of the trail and determining if there are any compromised trees there.
He said removing the trees has been heartbreaking for the department.
"We're a department of tree-huggers here," he said with a chuckle.
"Seeing those trees come down has been devastating."
On an upbeat note, Tree Canada contacted Desrosiers to help with replenishing and replacing the trees that were lost.
"There's nothing set in stone yet for it, but we're also applying for a residential program, so that way if residents want to replenish their trees they can."
About 130 trees have been removed in Summerside as a result of hurricane Dorian:
45 – Trees removed due to compromised or weakened root systems
30 – Trees removed along property lines
31 – Trees removed in Meadow Heights Park
25 to 27 – Trees removed along MacKenzie Drive Boardwalk area
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