Seven weeks after Teacup Rock collapsed in Post-Tropical Storm Fiona, another iconic coastal spot on Prince Edward Island has succumbed to the forces of nature.
The sea arch at MacKenzie’s Brook in PEI National Park near Cavendish collapsed Sunday morning after strong winds and rain from Tropical Depression Nicole.
Like Teacup Rock, it was a popular area for photographers and was often featured in PEI tourism brochures.
Timothy Gallant, who lives in nearby Rusticoville and has photographed the arch many times over the years, went to check it out for himself when he heard it had collapsed.
“It was strange to see that hole wide open,” he said.
PEI’s north coast suffered significant damage during Fiona, and parts of the national park remain closed to the public during recovery efforts.
MacKenzie’s Brook Arch has been a popular area for photographers. (Maggie Ma)
Gallant said the arch started out as a small hole and that every year, and after every storm, he would notice it getting bigger.
“When Fiona came through, there was a nice little piece on the right side and that weakened the structure a lot more, and then we had Nicole over the weekend … and I guess with the rains and high winds. that we’ve had over the last two days was the last straw.”
“It was strange to see the hole open completely,” says Timothy Gallant. (Tony Davis/CBC)
The training was a major tourist attraction. Gallant said he often saw tour buses pull up and people get out to take pictures.
“It’s going to be a lot different when they come back this year.”
Before and after photos of Teacup Rock in Thunder Cove. The popular rock formation was demolished in September during post-tropical storm Fiona. (Submitted by Marg Chisholm-Ramsay)
Gallant, at least, will have old photos of the bow to cherish.
“Certain parts of the year, sunsets and sunrises, it changes throughout the year and every now and then you can get the sun on the hole and it looks amazing.”
Michele Gallant and Greg Gillis, who were at MacKenzie’s Brook on Sunday, said it was only a matter of time before the arch fell.
“We’ve been watching it deteriorate for a while, well, since Fiona and I were wondering when it was going to happen,” Gallant said.
Michele Gallant and Greg Gillis say they are sad to see the arch go down, but hope a new line-up will take shape elsewhere. (Tony Davis/CBC)
“It was used as a frame for many photographs and locals would stop by to see how it was doing. So it will be missed.”
Gillis said he’s seen a lot of erosion along the PEI coast in recent years, and rock formations come and go.
“It’s a shame, but what can you do? It’s Mother Nature. It’s going to start a new one somewhere.”