Family Flees Hurricane, Moves to Canada in 3 Weeks

Tara Pyfrom shares her chaotic but ultimately rewarding experience of relocating her family from the Bahamas to Canada with minimal preparation.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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After barely surviving Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019, Tara Pyfrom and her family decided to move to Canada with only 3 weeks of planning. The process was frantic, with the family navigating immigration paperwork, finding a new home, and adjusting to a completely new country. Despite the challenges, the family was able to establish a new life in Canada and is still there 6 years later.

Why it matters

This story highlights the difficulties and complexities of quickly relocating to a new country, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster. It provides insight into the emotional and logistical hurdles faced by immigrants and refugees who are forced to make major life changes on short notice.

The details

With limited time and options after being forced to evacuate the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, Pyfrom and her family settled on Canada as their new home. They quickly searched for a town near the ocean and close to some of their relatives in the US, eventually finding a suitable home. However, the immigration process was overwhelming, with constant requests for additional documents and legal paperwork. Pyfrom struggled with the stress and chaos of the move, but eventually the family was able to establish a new life in Canada, even adopting some local customs.

  • In 2019, Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Pyfrom family's home in the Bahamas.
  • The family evacuated to Florida, but were only allowed to stay for a few weeks due to immigration restrictions.
  • Within 3 weeks, the family decided to move to Canada and began the process of relocating.

The players

Tara Pyfrom

The author of the story, who moved her family from the Bahamas to Canada with little planning after Hurricane Dorian.

Pyfrom's Family

Tara's family, including her wife and 6-year-old daughter, who relocated to Canada along with 4 dogs.

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What they’re saying

“I guess we're moving to Canada.”

— Tara Pyfrom (Business Insider)

“Don't move to a new country with only three weeks of planning!”

— Tara Pyfrom (Business Insider)

What’s next

The family continues to adjust to life in Canada, embracing the local culture while maintaining their Bahamian roots.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required when facing sudden, major life changes. While a hasty international move is chaotic and complex, it is possible to find peace and establish a new home, even with minimal preparation.