UPDATE: The City of Windsor just this week (October 26) posted updated information concerning financial assistance to Windsorites whose basements were flooded at the end of September. Green Shield along with Family Service Windsor-Essex is making the program possible.
The torrential rains of September 28, 29, 30 in our area made headlines, not only in the WINDSOR STAR (Rainstorm, flooding in Windsor, Ont. Area damaged more than 1,700 homes ; More rain could mean more flooding for Windsor and Essex County ; Flooding leads to state of emergency in Ont. Communities of Windsor, Tecumseh ) but also in CityNews (1,700 households in Windsor, Ont. Area damaged by flooding from rainstorm ) CTV (Windsor and Tecumseh mayors declare states of emergency due to flooding ) and the CBC (Here’s what the flooding near Windsor, Ont. Looks like from above ; Worst of heavy rain over for flood-hit Windsor and Tecumseh, Ont. ; Provincial disaster relief funds for flood-damaged Windsor, Ont. Region ) . More photographs of the floods were published in Windsorite
Other things you may want to know about flooding:
Disaster Preparedness: Floods
All levels of government want citizens to be prepared when nature turns dangerous. Here are tips from the Government of Ontario and from the City of Windsor.
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
Environment Canada is responsible for tracking and providing warnings to Canadians
about potentially hazardous weather conditions through their public alerting services,
either directly to individuals or distributed by local news sources. For those with the capability, Environment Canada also offers Twitter alerts.
Flood Monitoring
The Ontario Flood Forecasting and Warning Program works with Environment Canada to warn citizens of potential dangers of flooding. Local flood messages, especially those pertaining to lands adjacent to streams, rivers and lakes with elevated water levels, are issued by local conservation authorities under the supervision of the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. In our area, the Essex Region Conservation Authority has this responsibility.
Disaster Recovery
The City of Windsor’s website provides directions for discarding damaged possessions and building materials from flooded basements.
Local news reports name two volunteer organizations that assist communities in the aftermath of disasters. Christian Aid Ministries have trained teams for “Rapid response services” who can perform damage cleanup. (tel. 519-638-0839).
Samaritan’s Purse Canada also has teams that can help with flooded basements (wet carpet removal and wet drywall removal. (tel. 403-250-6565 / 1-800-663-6500, or 1-866-628-6565
People looking for financial assistance with their cleanup should read the Ontario government questions and answers factsheets about Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians ,with separate sheets about Provisions for Low Income Households , as well as
Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance .
Canada Mortgage and Housing has conducted research into preventative and remedial measures with regards to basement flooding. One concern arising is the prevention of mould. Guidelines are available from both from CMHC and Health Canada. Newer “green” renovations may help to prevent future damage.
Seniors and new Canadians can be particularly vulnerable to dishonest contractors and scam artists. Before rebuilding, review good practises in hiring a contractor, to prevent being defrauded by those who would take advantage of people whose homes were damaged.
