Disasters

We have become acclimatized to news of disasters and take many of the stories in stride. But when these events affect cities; those solid, bustling places that seem to have permanence, we sit up and take notice. Those stories grow legs, drawing concern and help from communities near and far from the disaster zone.

Mostly recently there has been the devastating fire in Fort McMurray, the news of which has been heard throughout most of the world. Who can forget New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina or the 2011 earthquake that affected many towns and cities in Japan? There have been many city disasters in the past as well; the Halifax Explosion in 1917, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and the Great Fire of London in 1666 to name just a few.

While trying to find out more about my Grandfather's life after he immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1911, I came across the story of another city disaster. The Regina Cyclone cut a devastating swath through that city on June 30, 1912. Just what affect did the disaster in Regina have on my family's story?

Regina after the Cyclone, public domain - Saskatoon Public Library collection