Thunder Bay Experiences Flood Disaster
by Scott A. Sumner
Thunder Bay experienced a major flood disaster that caused the city and partners to go into emergency mode. Things are improving now although there will be monthes of work ahead to get back to normal for many residents in Thunder Bay.
The Canadian Red Cross and The Salvation Army are scaling back relief services as the focus shifts from immediate relief to longer-term recovery efforts.
“This is a sign that conditions are getting better in our community,” said Mayor Keith Hobbs. “We thank the Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteers for all of their hard work. ”
The Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Control Plant continues to process the normal flow and work is being done to repair areas damaged by the flood, a process that will be ongoing for many months, said Kerri Marshall, Manager of Environment for the City of Thunder Bay.
Water Bill Relief Available
Residential property owners affected by the flood can receive a credit on their water bill by completing the form posted on the City’s dedicated flood emergency web page.
Forms can be downloaded from ThunderBay.ca/flood (under Water Bill Relief Form) and must be completed by Sept. 30, 2012.Users of the City’s sanitary sewer system who were affected by the flood will receive a $207 credit, while residential property owners who are not connected to the sanitary sewer system (and were affected by the flood) will receive a credit of $118.
In order to qualify for the water bill relief, residential property owners must include one of the following: a copy of a flood insurance claim, receipts from contractors that reference flood damage repairs, photos of damaged property (for owners who don’t have insurance).
Disaster Relief Committee
Donations to the Thunder Bay Disaster Assistance Relief Fund can be made at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre on River Street, the Canada Games Complex, Volunteer Pool, Churchill Pool and the Victoriaville Civic Centre Cashiers.
Only donations to the Disaster Relief Committee Fund will be matched by the Province.
Claim forms will be posted at Thunderbay.ca/flood.
Mayor Keith Hobbs, Thunder Bay. “ The community is getting better. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are scaling back. Our biggest concern is the sewage treatment plant that has other issues but is progressing. We are estimating losses for homeowners at up to $100 million with up with 3000 homes affected. Red Cross says it is the worst disaster in Ontario in 10 years. I know the city has stepped up to the plate. When you look at the volume of water, 9 inches in a few hours, it is a flood of proportions we haven’t seen before. The most affected areas are the East End, Intercity including Memorial Avenue with businesses and Northwood. I got a 1-foot of water in my house and I live on a hill in the Northward. We will do an independent study to provide transparency and openness to the public. If we are to blame we will tell you that but I don’t think we are. We need to have independent people look at the event and the plant.”
David St George from Red Cross in Sudbury “ We have had 359 client cases and closed 316 of those so far. We can start to disengage some of our operations. We have completed 12,449 hours of volunteer work so far and have volunteers here from across the country. This is the largest Red Cross response in Ontario in the last 10 years. We have obtained $250,000 in fundraising. Thunder Bay has been a really generous community.”
Tony Kennedy, area commander from North Bay to Thunder Bay for the Salvation Army. “ We are scaling down our feeding program truck and are moving from relieve to recovery. You can still call the 345-6492 line. I would like to thank the volunteers from Thunder Bay and I commend them. We had 15 volunteers from out of town and 100 from Thunder Bay. We are at $350,000 in donations to the Salvation Army.”
John Hay Fire Chief Thunder Bay. “ We are getting back to normal activities and are confidant things will progress positively. There will be debriefing meetings upcoming when we will look at things we can refine.”
