Rebuilding After Fiona: What We've Learned

It's been three months since Hurricane Fiona, and the recovery has settled into a rhythm. Not a fast rhythm — but a steady one. We wanted to share what we've been seeing at the store, what's been hardest to get, and some practical advice for anyone still working through repairs.

What People Need Most

The most-requested items since September 24th have been, in roughly this order: tarps (the blue tarps that became the unofficial flag of post-Fiona PEI), roofing shingles, plywood, chainsaws, chainsaw chains and bar oil, generators, batteries, and flashlights. In the first two weeks, we couldn't keep tarps or generators on the shelf. Supply has improved, but roofing materials are still moving fast and shingle availability can vary week to week.

Supply Chain Realities

Here's the hard truth: PEI can only produce and ship so much material at once, and the entire province needs it at the same time. Concrete, steel, lumber — every contractor on the Island is competing for the same supply. Lumber demand spiked hard, just when the pandemic-era shortages had finally started to ease. We're working closely with Home Hardware's national warehouse network to keep product flowing to the Island, but some items have lead times that we can't shorten by wishing.

The Labour Problem

Materials are only half the equation. There aren't enough contractors to go around. Roofers, siding crews, general carpenters — everyone is booked months out. The province has partnered with the construction association to bring tradespeople from off-island, which will help, but it takes time to ramp up. If you've got a contractor lined up, be patient with them. They're working as hard as they can.

Practical Advice

• Document everything. Take photos of all damage — roof, siding, foundation, interior water damage, yard, outbuildings. You'll need them for insurance, and possibly for federal recovery programs. Do it now, even if you've already started repairs.
• Check your insurance early. Don't wait. File the claim, get the adjuster out, and understand what's covered. Some policies have deadlines for reporting.
• Prioritize the envelope. Roof first, then walls and windows, then interior. A dry, sealed building can wait for cosmetic work. A leaking roof can't wait for anything.
• Be patient with materials. They're coming. If we don't have something in stock, we can usually get it ordered. Talk to us about timelines so you can plan your work accordingly.
• Talk to us before you buy. We can help you figure out what you actually need for your specific repair. Sometimes people overbuy in a panic, and sometimes they underbuy and have to make a second trip. We'd rather get it right the first time with you.

The rebuild is going to take a long time. We've accepted that. But every sheet of plywood that goes up, every tarp that gets replaced with proper shingles, every generator that gets returned because the power is back — that's progress. We're here for the long haul, and we'll keep the shelves as full as we possibly can.