Which was worse: Hurricane Juan or Hurricane Dorian?
In early September, Dorian slammed into the Bahamas and then sailed up the Gulf Stream and swept across Nova Scotia as a category 2 hurricane. The whole province was on high alert, fearing a repeat of the devastation caused by Hurricane Juan in 2003.
Dorian arrived as expected. High winds and heavy rains downed many trees, heavy with leaves that had not even begun to show their fall colours. Most of the province lost power. Schools were closed for two days, longer in some hard-hit areas.
We arrived in Halifax two weeks after the storm. We had perfect weather … sunny and warm in the day; clear and crisp in the evening. We walked through the city, looking for evidence of Dorian’s devastation.
Our first stop was the Halifax Public Gardens, one of my favourite places in Halifax.
The Halifax Public Gardens are a National Historic Site
The Public Gardens were established in 1867 to celebrate Canada’s Confederation. The gardens were designated a National Historic Site in 1984.
The Public Gardens are the oldest Victorian gardens in North America.
The Gardens were devastated by Hurricane Juan in 2003. Many trees were destroyed. A radio telethon raised a $1 million to restore the gardens.
The Gardens were stunning on our visit. There was no sign of damage. The flower beds were in full bloom.
Next, we walked down to the waterfront, about a 15 minute walk.
What devastation would we find?
Were these light standards brought down by Hurricane Dorian?
NO! These are sculptures on the waterfront.
They are called the ‘drunken lamposts’
Did this wave hit Halifax?
NO! The Wave is a popular sculpture for kids to climb, even though it says ‘do not climb.’ In anticipation that kids might ignore the ‘do not climb’ sign, The Wave is surrounded by a soft playground surface.
The boy on top of the wave is Lucas, my sweet great nephew. I did not take this picture. My niece sent it to me. You will notice that Lucas is on top of The Wave at sunrise. I took photos of The Wave much later in the morning.
Lucas looks like he can ride The Wave with magical powers
This sidewalk is blocked by a downed tree
When we walked along some of the side streets in Halifax, we saw storm damage. We had to walk around this tree, still blocking the sidewalk two weeks after the hurricane.
Why did some trees fall while neighbouring trees survived?
South Park Street is closed
South Park Street is a major street in downtown Halifax. It has been closed since the hurricane because ….
A crane collapsed at the height of Hurricane Dorian
Everyone was hunkered down in Nova Scotia, ready for Hurricane Dorian, well stocked with storm chips. (If you want to know more about storm chips, you can check out this link)
How #stormchips became a Maritime phenomenon
A Q&A with Stephanie Domet, who accidentally started a uniquely Maritime tradition of celebrating storm-ration snacks
Fatema Ali was filming the storm when she captured this dramatic collapse of the crane:
Why did the crane fall?
Construction lawyers will take years to figure out why the crane fell … and who is liable for the damage. Luckily no one was injured.
We have it on good authority … our cab driver … who knows someone … who knows someone who works on the construction site that the crane was cranked up too high in order to stretch up and over an existing condo in order to reach the construction site. The winds grabbed the rope at the top of the crane and yanked the crane down. Sounds like a plausible explanation to me!
The collapsed crane looks like a giant Meccano set that failed
How do you remove a broken crane?
With a bigger crane.
The corner of Spring Garden Road and South Park will remain closed until the crane is removed.
No one has admitted liability and no one stepped up to remove the crane so the province declared a state of emergency
The province has declared a localized state of emergency in downtown Halifax so the safe removal of a collapsed crane can happen quickly — taking on liability for any damage that happens in the process.
On Sunday, workers could be seen hovering over the roof of a building where a crane toppled over during Hurricane Dorian. (Kaitlyn Swan/CBC)
Work to remove a crane that collapsed on a building under construction in downtown Halifax during Hurricane Dorian three weeks ago is starting, according to a press release from the province.
But before the complex structure can be removed, it needs to be strapped down and anchored to the unfinished building where it is intertwined.
That process started Sunday, according to the province. Once secured, crews can begin to dismantle the tower of the crane, and remove it piece by piece.
The crane came down on Sept. 7, as Hurricane Dorian made landfall in Nova Scotia as a post-tropical storm with hurricane-strength winds.
Photos taken during the site’s assessment show the crane bent and twisted. (Government of Nova Scotia)
On Sept. 9, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency issued an evacuation order, affecting residents and businesses in the area. At the time, it was estimated the evacuation order would last days, if not weeks.
The crane removal was originally slated for two weeks ago, but was put on hold when the issue of potential liability was raised among those involved in the removal process.
Once the crane is secured and anchored to the building, crews can start dismantling the tower of the crane and removing it piece by piece. (Government of Nova Scotia)
On Sept. 18, the provincial government held a press conference to declare a localized state of emergency, moving the liability onto the province so the removal process could get underway faster.
“Essentially, we’re the insurance company,” Labour Minister Labi Kousoulis said at the time.
It’s still unclear who will be footing the bill for the lengthy and costly process.
It’s also likely estimated timelines will change, the release said, and further updates will be provided early next week.
Estimated approach and timelines will likely change as the process continues, the province said in a news release. (Government of Nova Scotia)
I’ll post an update when the crane is finally removed!
I love visiting World Heritage Sites, celebrating the world’s most fascinating places and cultures, and most of all, having fun on a trip. Join me on the road to fun and fascinating places. Thanks for reading – and remember to add your e-mail below for updates!
Hi Rose Ann,
I am just catching up on all your exciting travel destinations. 🙂
Hope you had fun at your law reunion.
Great photos of the impact that Hurricane Dorian, had on Halifax.
I don’t think she did as much damage as Juan!
My sister, welcomed guests from Seattle, Washington, on the day that Dorian decided to visit Halifax. They had dinner by candle light and no power for 48 plus hours.
Unfortunately, the Public Gardens, was on their bucket list, but it was closed for a week, as well as other highlights in the Annapolis Valley.
Peggy’s Cove did not disappoint the American tourists and regardless of Dorian, they loved Nova Scotia and its warm hospitality!
Hi Carol Anne. Great to hear from you. I can’t believe it’s fall and I haven’t seen you in such a long time. It sounds like your sister had quite the adventure with her guests during the hurricane. Glad it all turned out well. When we were in Halifax, we heard lots of tales of how people were impacted by the hurricane. Many people witnessed flying debris, including a crane!
Hi Rose Ann,
I am just catching up on all your exciting travel destinations. 🙂
Hope you had fun at your law reunion.
Great photos of the impact that Hurricane Dorian, had on Halifax.
I don’t think she did as much damage as Juan!
My sister, welcomed guests from Seattle, Washington, on the day that Dorian decided to visit Halifax. They had dinner by candle light and no power for 48 plus hours.
Unfortunately, the Public Gardens, was on their bucket list, but it was closed for a week, as well as other highlights in the Annapolis Valley.
Peggy’s Cove did not disappoint the American tourists and regardless of Dorian, they loved Nova Scotia and its warm hospitality!
Hi Carol Anne. Great to hear from you. I can’t believe it’s fall and I haven’t seen you in such a long time. It sounds like your sister had quite the adventure with her guests during the hurricane. Glad it all turned out well. When we were in Halifax, we heard lots of tales of how people were impacted by the hurricane. Many people witnessed flying debris, including a crane!