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Survivors of Climate Disasters, in Their Own Words

Survivors of Climate Disasters, in Their Own Words

In this series, 11 climate catastrophe survivors narrate what they’ve endured and their thoughts on how to create a more resilient future. The Tyee publishes these as-told-to accounts in collaboration with the University of Victoria-based Climate Disaster Project, whose members used trauma-informed techniques in conducting the interviews.

“Survivors of Climate Disasters, in Their Own Words” is part of The Tyee’s larger series “Bracing for Disasters" which investigates how to support evacuees and save lives as extreme weather worsens in B.C.

This project was funded by the inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellowship. The Tyee retained complete editorial control of this series.

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In This Series

'We Looked into the Eyes of the Beast'

'We Looked into the Eyes of the Beast'

Told in his own words, Ken Pite recalls the thoughts running through his head the day he fled flaming Lytton. Part of a series.

Ken Pite, as told to Gage Smith / 15 May 2023


‘We Know That No Matter What We Have Each Other’

‘We Know That No Matter What We Have Each Other’

In her own words, Racine Jeff tells how wildfire changed the land, and life, for her Tŝilhqot’in community.

Racine Jeff, as told to Amber Bear and Emilie Wren / 16 May 2023


‘Like Somebody Took a Chalkboard Eraser and Erased My Life’

‘Like Somebody Took a Chalkboard Eraser and Erased My Life’

In her own words, Maggie Lord tells of lovingly creating an orchard haven, only to see it burn.

Maggie Lord, as told to Gage Smith and Michael Lo / 17 May 2023


‘It Was Dark, and You Could Hear Water Rushing’

‘It Was Dark, and You Could Hear Water Rushing’

In her own words, Rochelle Rupert tells of waking up to the nightmare of the Coldwater River poised to invade her home.

Rochelle Rupert, as told to Geena Mortfield / 19 May 2023


‘I Knew in the Back of My Head that Lytton Was Gone’

‘I Knew in the Back of My Head that Lytton Was Gone’

In her own words, Michele Feist recounts her wildfire escape and the steep road to rebuilding.

Michele Feist, as told to Aldyn Chwelos and Christina Gervais / 22 May 2023


‘You're Leaving Your Life Behind’

‘You're Leaving Your Life Behind’

In her own words, Billie Sheridan describes fleeing fire and ‘having to be rock solid for the kids.’

By Billie Sheridan, as told to Aldyn Chwelos / 25 May 2023


‘It Looked Like an Animal, Just Arms of Fire Going Forward’

‘It Looked Like an Animal, Just Arms of Fire Going Forward’

Micha Kingston reflects on post-wildfire parenting. ‘How will I prepare her for this world?’ Part of a series.

Micha Kingston, as told to Aldyn Chwelos / 31 May 2023


‘Everything Else from My Whole Past Was All Gone’

‘Everything Else from My Whole Past Was All Gone’

In her own words, Donna Rae recounts her flood ordeal and gets real about living on a pension after a climate catastrophe.

Donna Rae, as told to Geena Mortfield / 2 Jun 2023


‘It's Like You Could Feel Moss Growing on Your Teeth’

‘It's Like You Could Feel Moss Growing on Your Teeth’

In her own words, Dian Brooks tells of being trapped upstairs by flood waters and waiting two days for rescue.

Dian Brooks, as told to Geena Mortfield / 6 Jun 2023


‘There's No Looking Back. Your Past Is Wiped Out’

‘There's No Looking Back. Your Past Is Wiped Out’

In her own words, Tricia Thorpe on being evacuated twice in two days as she sought refuge from a spate of wildfires.

Tricia Thorpe, as told to Geena Mortfield / 9 Jun 2023


‘I'm Not Afraid of the Fire’

‘I'm Not Afraid of the Fire’

Patsy Gessey on escaping two blazes and planting seeds of hope. Last in a series of first-person tales of BC climate disasters.

Patsy Gessey, as told to Francesca Fionda / 14 Jun 2023