A long-time community volunteer in Port aux Basques is crediting Mayor Brian Button with saving lives during the height of Hurricane Fiona.

Joan Chiasson put Port aux Basques on the map as the country’s very first Autism-friendly community through Autism Involves Me.

Chiasson says she received a call from the Mayor on Friday night as the hurricane started lashing the community. She says 130 km/h winds are nothing extraordinary for residents of the community, but few people realized the threat from storm surge.

While her home in Grand Bay, which is 30 feet above the high water mark, was undamaged, the waves got within 15 feet of her home.

Chiasson says she would have slept through the night had it not been for the mayor’s call.

Button told them that he thought they might be alright, but to wake up at 6:30 a.m., have their bags packed, and watch the waves as high tide approached.

Chiasson says most of those she’s spoken to received similar calls from the mayor. She believes he saved lives through his actions.