P.E.I. sets up temporary emergency shelter as Hurricane Fiona nears

A temporary emergency shelter is being provided to the residents of a tent encampment near Holland Collegein downtown Charlottetown, on the same day P.E.I. officials eyeing the weekend weather outlined plans for another location at Jack Blanchard Hall.

Environment Canada issued aspecial weather statementearly Wednesday, warning Islanders to expectheavy rains from the outer edge of Hurricane Fiona starting Thursday night. The agency expects strong winds to begin Friday night and peak on Saturday.

The exact track and severity of the storm is still unclear.

People without access to affordable housing have set up five encampments around P.E.I.'s capital this summer the latest development amid the province's growing housing crisis. Holland College president Sandy MacDonaldhas saidroughly 25to 30 people areliving in anencampment near the school.

On Wednesday, the residents of the encampment were packing up and movingto the nearby event grounds a move that was planned before the storm warning was issued.

"It's going to be worse than normal," said Keith Wood, who lives at the encampment. "Wedon't know how bad it's going to be so it will make for a rough night for sure."

Wood said he mightstay at a friend's place during the storm,but he's not that worriedhe's used to bad weather.

"I fell and broke my leg when I was working out West and ended up on the street, andit was -35C.You take two tents, put one inside the other," he said.

Vehicles will help campers move

Officials with Holland College said they plan to bring in vehicles to help the encampment's residents move, saying the new location at the event grounds should be an improvement.

"We wanted to move as soon as we could while respecting the fact we wanted to have a place for the campers to go," MacDonald said.

"So they'll actually [have] more protection from the wind than where they are now,and they'll also have Porta-Pottiesset up as well so they'll have the ability to use the washroom there."

Provincial emergency officials said Wednesday that no one should be outside in a tent during the expected storm.

Shelter at Jack Blanchard Hall

The province announced plans fora temporary emergencyshelter as ofThursday if Hurricane Fiona continues to track toward the Island.

The temporary emergency shelter will have cot-style beds, bedding,food and water.

Anyone experiencing homeless or housing insecurity and in need of emergency temporary shelter services during Fiona is asked to go to Jack Blanchard Hall directly for intake.

Islanders in need of other government and community supports can call 211 for assistance.