Feature Article August 14, 2002
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North Frontenac calls for disaster relief fundsby Will Cylbulski Plevna In the wake of damages caused by the crushing storm of August 2, the municipality of North Frontenac has called on the province to render financial aid through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
The brief, but powerful freak, of nature, now being described as a microburst, rolled through in the wee hours of the morning, bringing with it torrential rains and super-high intensity winds that uprooted and flattened thousands of trees, downed utility lines, severely damaged homes and vehicles, and caused one local death.
Working with MPP Bob Runcimans Ministry of Public Safety and Security, as well as Emergency Management Ontario, municipal officials declared a local state of emergency in the afternoon following the storm, and set up a command site here. This gave volunteer workers WSIB coverage against possible injury, and the OPP was called upon to conduct a door-to-door canvass in the harder-hit portions of the township.
The storm came at a time when the population of the area was boosted by the number of cottagers and summer visitors who were here to begin the civic holiday weekend. Thankfully, personal injuries were few, although total property damages are likely high. Recovery costs to just the municipality alone are being quoted as at least $300,000.
Two damage assessment fly-overs, which involved representatives from Municipal Affairs, NF Public Works, NF Council, Kaladar/Barrie Fire Department, and MPP Leona Dombrowsky, were conducted on Friday. Another look from the air was done on Saturday, this time with Municipal Affairs officials from Kingston and Toronto on board. An on-ground assessment was carried out in certain areas as well on Saturday.
The local state of emergency was lifted Saturday morning, August 3, and Council met on Tuesday morning, August 6, adopting a resolution that asked the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to declare all three wards as disaster areas for the purposes of ODRAP.
ODRAP is a two-fold program intended to alleviate the hardship suffered by private homeowners, farmers, small business enterprises and non-profit organizations whose essential property has been damaged in sudden and unexpected natural disasters. ODRAP does not provide full cost recovery for all damages; it helps eligible recipients restore essential furnishings and property only to pre-disaster conditions. The program provides assistance when damages are so extensive that they exceed the financial resources of affected individuals, the municipality, and the community at large. ODRAP does not take the place of normal insurance coverage. The second part of the program makes municipalities that have sustained damages in an area declared as a disaster by the Minister of Municipal Affairs eligible for provincial funding towards certain damages.
The huge amount of timber that was smashed down will become wildfire tinder if left lying over the summer. Leaning or hung-up trees and branches make walking in the bush dangerous. Average property owners do not have the financial or physical resources required to clear scores of trees from their lands, so its to be hoped that help will come from somewhere. At this stage, while the Ministry of Municipal Affairs ponders its decision, Council can only take a wait and see stance. If you are an affected landowner, call MPP Dombrowsky to register your concerns.
In a bid to help our municipalitys residents with clean-up, tipping fees for brush are being waived at our waste management sites until August 31.
