Sugar shack still feeling effects of ice storm 2017

A sugar shack on the Acadian Peninsula is working to recover from an estimated $25,000 loss due to the January ice storm that cut power to much of the region for almost two weeks.

The coating of ice on maple branches and windy conditions afterwards downed 250 trees and broke countless branches, which fell on syrup lines at SucrerieChiassoninPaquetville.

"It broke a lot of trees and also damaged some stations where we had vacuum pumps and the main lines," saidHugues Theriault, a Sucrerie employee,

"We're still repairing because all the branches stuck on the trees that are broken are going to fall at some point."

More repairs

The fallen branches are likely to create leaks, which will also have to be repaired.

Employees at Sucrerie Chiasson have already filled 10 barrelswith sap, but are waiting for warmer temperatures to continue production.

"We had a little bit of water today, but not enough to start the evaporator," said Theriault.

The sugar shack has already welcomed several tour busses to its weekend brunches as employees continue to make repairs to the lines.

"It's business as usual. It's only in the woods that we're affected," said Theriault.