Against the Element

The devastation that nature can rain down is often swift and brutal. When a battle is waged between man and the elements, the elements often emerge as the victor.

Pine Lake Tornado: After a particularly nasty hailstorm, a tornado touched down on the west side of Pine Lake near the Green Acres campground sometime after 7:00 p.m., Friday July 14, 2000. 12 people were killed as trailers were overturned and buildings smashed to splinters. 400 camping sites were also destroyed at the Green Acres Campground. Approximately 140 people were injured when the tornado hit, and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. 6 year old survivor Dustin Massner described it best when he wrote: "The hail came down. After that the tornado came down. Next, the tornado threw our trailer onto our next-door neighbour's trailer. The campground owner's house was only wood now. After the tornado there were ambulances, tow trucks and fire trucks."

Newfoundland Snow Slide: Two avalanches occured in the Outer Battery in St. John's during one of the worst storms in Canadian history. The storm dumped 55 cm of snow on the city, accompanied by winds up to 220 km/hr, leaving 70,000 people with no electricity. A first avalanche buried Cyril Garland and family in their home, but all survived. A second avalanche destroyed 2 homes and damaged many others, resulting in the deaths of 5 people and injury to at least 9 others.