'We lost everything': Couple’s home the only one destroyed in Cape Breton community
In a community largely untouched by Fiona’s wrath, what happened to Janasta and Vincent Chaisson’s mobile home shows how random destruction can seem.
"I was worried," says Janasta, "but I didn't think, I thought my fence would go, I didn't think the house would go."
The couple was staying with family when Fiona hit. Janasta's sister, Jennie Pardy, says a neighbor across the street saw what happened.
"Around 1:30 AM (Saturday) he heard something like a screaming, a rumbling, kind of like a freight train," says Pardy.
She says he came to the house and knocked on the door to see if anyone was home. Receiving no answer, he went back home and watching.
"(And) everything came apart and landed into their next-door neighbor's yard," says Pardy.
What’s left of the home’s roof is now laying on the ground, after the storm’s high winds peeled it from the house.
The Chaisson’s didn’t know anything had happened until they drove by early the next morning as Vincent was taking Janasta to work at the local long-term care facility.
"We came up the lane Saturday morning and my fence was still up, the shed was still there, I said, 'ok everything's fine,'" recalls Vincent. "We got to the stop sign over here, made the turn, and realized our roof was gone."
Janasta is a continuing care assistant. Vincent had to leave his job after suffering from severe spinal degeneration, along with being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
The couple tried to get home insurance, but were unable to afford the necessary upgrades to qualify.
The property was their home for 20 years.
"This is where thought we would grow old, it's where our son grew up," says Janasta with tears filling her eyes, "it's where we've been taking our grandson on the weekends, and we don't have that anymore."
With rain pouring in after the roof was torn off, there’s barely anything for the Chaissons to salvage.
The ceiling has collapsed in several places, tiles strewn all over the floor.
The couple’s bed is soaked through.
The smell of mold inside is strong.
When the couple returned to what was their home, there was little they could save. All they have now is the clothing on their backs, and some photos Janasta managed to gather up to dry.
"We lost everything else, beds, bureaus, TVs, everything, photo albums," says Vincent, "everything is soaked."
"We're lost, we don't know the next step," adds Janasta.
Seeing her sister overwhelmed with the loss, Pardy has stepped in to help the couple apply for assistance through Nova Scotia’s disaster relief program, announced Monday.
The provincial government says the program will cover certain 'uninsured losses' up to $200,000, with no deductible.
When asked if the Chaissons would qualify, a spokesperson for the province would only say the program is for “non-insured damages”.
"That said," writes Marla MacInnis, "Government continues to look very closely at the type of support that Nova Scotians need right now and we encourage people who need support to apply."
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2023.
Meanwhile, family and community members in Arichat are stepping up to help the Chaissons.
Pardy has launched an online fundraising campaign and is organizing a benefit event for October 15 at the Acadiaville Hall nearby.
"I have no doubt that people are going to help support these people and help them rebuild and get back on their feet," says Richmond County District 1 Councilor Shawn Samson.
"When you speak of community, you get the word 'unity' out of it,” he says, "that’s what we do here on Isle Madam and Richmond County."
The county’s Emergency Services Coordinator says the county can also help the couple connect with aid organizations.
"There's the financial assistance there's Cape Breton Housing," says Steve Marcellus, "any of those resources, Red Cross if there's something longer term."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.