PEISome communities across Prince Edward Island are preparing for severe weather situations that may come ahead. There are none on the radar right now, but Shari MacDonald CAO of Miltonvale Park, is ensuring the area is ready.The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30 Jenna Banfield · CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2025 4:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoNo severe weather alerts are in effect for the Island right now, but some communities across P.E.I. are preparing. (Tony Davis/CBC)Some communities across P.E.I. are gearing up for severe weather situations this hurricane season.There are no storms on the radar right now, but the rural municipality of Miltonvale Park is ready if that changes, says its chief administrative officer, Shari MacDonald. “We have an approved emergency preparedness plan. We have an [Emergeny Measures Organization (EMO)] committee, we have the warming centre … at the Milton Community Hall. I think we’re we’re in fairly good shape,” she said.That warming centre was last used when post-tropical storm Fiona hit the Island in September 2022. MacDonald said that storm was a learning curve, but what stands out to her is how the community pulled together. “I think what impressed me the most about Fiona was everybody wanted to help. So, you have people here that needed warmth and shelter and electricity and flush toilets, and they were willing to wash dishes and chop food for meals.”Since then, Miltonvale Park received a grant from the province for a couple of upgrades and more resources to add to the centre, such as a generator, cots, pillows and blankets.WATCH | P.E.I. communities prepping in case major storms hit this fall P.E.I. communities prepping in case major storms hit this fallCommunities across P.E.I. are ready with emergency plans just in case a post-tropical storm hits P.E.I. this hurricane season. Meanwhile, the province is reminding people to have an emergency kit ready. CBC’s Tony Davis has more.MacDonald said that although emergency centres are available, it’s important for people to have their own emergency plans and kits prepared ahead of time.”Have some cash stashed away and some water and some granola bars and food that you can get to easily,” she said. “I think that’s crucial.”Roadside maintenanceThe City of Summerside has two of their own reception centres, located at the St. Eleanor’s Community Centre and at the Wilmot Community Centre. They are not equipped as overnight shelters at this time.The city’s CAO, J.P. Derosiers, says a part of their plan includes roadside maintenance, such as clearing trees away from power lines throughout the city. They’ve also been investing in new power lines, called Hendrix Aerial Spacer Cable Systems, which are more resistant to debris and wind damage. “Our goal is to continuously, as we reinvest in and update circuits, go with that more expensive but longer lasting and better line,” said Desrosiers. Increasing awareness of storm readinessThe Immigrant and Refugee Services Association (IRSA) of P.E.I. does two workshops each year with the provincial Emergency Measures Organization, aimed at teaching newcomers to P.E.I. about being prepared for big storms. “A lot of newcomers are coming from different parts of the world, where they may not have storms or hurricanes,” says Nnena Ukwa, IRSA’s newcomer orientation coordinator. “It would be very important to learn what, you know, emergency preparedness looks like, having an emergency plan, having an emergency kit at home, just to be ready for Prince Edward Island and the weather.”‘”If you have no idea what a hurricane looks like, or if you have no idea what a storm looks like — if it hits you, you’re lost,’ said Nnena Ukwa, IRSA’s newcomer orientation coordinator. (Tony Davis/CBC)Ukwa said she was new to the Island herself when Fiona hit, and was fortunate to have lived with people at the time who knew how to get ready for storms. “If you have no idea what a hurricane looks like, or if you have no idea what a storm looks like — if it hits you, you’re lost.”Ukwa said the information being taught at the workshop can be provided in different languages, based on client needs. “Whatever language it is, we want to make sure that the information is accessible to our clients.”When it comes to an emergency kit, the provincial government recommends: Extra blankets. Plastic sheets and duct tape to shelter in place. At least two to three days worth of water and non-perishable food. A printed list of contact names and phone numbers. A first aid kit. “The more people are prepared the less of a strain it takes on resources and the quicker we can respond to events,” said Jason Thistle, director of P.E.I. EMO.ABOUT THE AUTHORJenna Banfield is an associate producer for CBC Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at jenna.banfield@cbc.caWith files from Tony Davis and Jackie Sharkey
Ready, just in case: Some Island communities gearing up for potential storms
