Written by Madiha Boolani, Four Green Steps

Hurricane Irene has been the latest cause of destruction in North America with meteorologists predicting it to be one of the costliest and most damaging hurricanes in history. It has left millions of homes without electricity, put daily life to a standstill and caused widespread destruction across the continent. Thousands of people have been left stranded at airports due to cancelled flights. The storm took eighteen lives in the United States and caused economic damage of up to $7 billion before moving on to Eastern Canada, leaving debris behind.

The storm was declared a Category One hurricane when it hit North Carolina on Saturday. However it weakened as it moved up north. According to the Federal Aviation Administration major airports in the New York- John F. Kennedy Airport, Newark Airport and LaGuardia were shut down for the weekend. More than 300,000 people in the New York area were evacuated and moved to safer areas and for the first time in history, public transportation in the city was suspended. Lower Manhattan faced flooding and just in the New York state, one million people were left without power.

Irene entered Canada on Sunday bringing strong winds and rainfall to Quebec and Maritimes Provinces. According to Environment Canada, Ile d'Orleans faced the strongest winds ranging up to 113km/h. In the Maritimes waters, Environment Canada reported six meter waves. The weakened storm left thousands without power, Quebec being worst hit as compared to the Maritimes with 215,000 customers with no power. Majority of these power outages were in the Montreal area.

In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, strong winds were reported and the storm brought heavy rain to the provinces. Flights and ferry services were cancelled. Trees were uprooted and power outages were widespread.

Even though the tropical storm warning was lifted Monday morning, forecasters have still advised caution especially in coastal area due to the danger of flooding.

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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