Heavy rains dumping about four inches of rain on Thunder Bay the last weekend in May left the city in a state of emergency. Roads were washed out or had water running across them and hundreds of basements flooded with water, requiring the municipal utility department to shut off electricity to some homes.
The city’s sole sewage treatment facility was overwhelmed and its pumps failed. Residents and businesses were asked to severely restrict their use of water and sewer. According to the city’s website, “Every drop of water goes to the Atlantic Avenue Secondary Sewage Plant, [which] is in the process of being assessed for damage caused by extreme amounts of rain that fell in May.”
The city was pumping rainwater out of the sewage plant. City workers were treating and diverting water coming from homes, businesses and storm sewers in order to relieve strain on the facility.
In order to reduce water usage, the city turned off its fountains and closed numerous facilities including the Canada Games Complex, the 55 Plus Centres, and the West Thunder Community Centre.
Relief efforts
The Salvation Army and the Canadian Red Cross became involved in relief efforts, providing meals and transportation, and set up a relief fund to help homeowners recoup some of the costs of dealing with the emergency and its aftermath.
As of June 6, roughly 900 flood victims had registered with the Canadian Red Cross. “The Canadian Red Cross is coordinating placing people in accommodations including Lakehead University, which is providing 160 beds and full meal service,” said the city’s website. “Currently, 27 town homes at Lakehead University are in use by affected families.
The city provided free garbage haulaway and expanded garbage collection hours and is offering information on how to safely clean up after a flood and deal with problems such as mold.
“About 460 homeowners have registered for clean-up assistance as of today [June 6] through the volunteer cleanup program with the Construction Association of Thunder Bay, the city, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Service and the Mennonite Disaster Team,” said the website. “The focus of the ongoing cleanup is on making homes safe and to address health issues.”
Housing, transportation, and infrastructure were not the only problems addressed after the flood. The website advised, “During the flood cleanup, residents may get cuts or scrapes. Tetanus, or lockjaw, is caused by germs in the soil that can infect these wounds. They can protect themselves against tetanus by getting immunized.” The Thunder Bay District Health Unit held a free tetanus immunization clinic on June 7.
A disaster relief committee, comprised of volunteers, will be established by the city council on Monday, June 11. “The committee will take in claims and, following guidelines, issue payouts to residents,” stated the website. “The application process is being developed for the city’s disaster fund. …Affected residents without insurance or inadequate coverage can get ready to make a claim by documenting damages.”
“We are the City with a Giant Heart and our people have a history of rallying together to help one another,” said Mayor Keith Hobbs. “We want everyone to check on their neighbours to make sure they are in good health, ask if they need help and encourage them to register with the Red Cross for clean-up assistance. We want to make sure that no one is left behind.”
Grand Portage offering help
“The Province will match all donations on a 2:1 basis once it declares a disaster,” the city’s website said.
The community of Grand Portage will be lending its neighbor a helping hand. According to Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Marketing Director Frank Vecchio, all ticket sales from the Retro Rock Review Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 will be donated to help with flood relief efforts.
The weekend of entertainment will celebrate music from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Bands include the Hoolies and Kiss Army Live on Friday and Boogie Wonderland, The Zep Show, and Smash Mouth on Saturday. Numerous Smash Mouth songs were featured in the movie Shrek. Tickets are $10 for Friday or $25 for the both days and can be purchased at Grand Portage Lodge or by calling 1(800) 543-1384.
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