THUNDER BAY – At today’s afternoon briefing of the City’s Emergency Operations Control (EOC) Group, a major focus of discussion was an action plan to help people affected by ongoing damage as a result of the unprecedented flood emergency. “With help from the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, we will start door-to-door visits to homeowners in affected areas to assess needs,” stated Mayor Keith Hobbs. “As well, we are working together to establish a fund to provide a way for folks in the community who would like to help people in need.”
The Salvation Army will be a hub for a national appeal for financial donations and details will be provided Wednesday morning. The City has received numerous offers of help and there is an active Facebook page with 1960 members to date and growing at over fifty members with many of them talking about how to provide assistance. The outpouring of community support is appreciated; however, a coordinated effort is required and that will be an ongoing priority for discussion over the next days.
Tonight the City of Thunder Bay will add portable toilets to the following areas: First/Second/Third Avenues and lower High Street, and near Minnesota Park in addition to units already in place in the East End’s Cherry Park. On Wednesday, The Salvation Army will expand its mobile food and water service to these affected areas as well as the East End.
As flooding starts to recede, residents are reminded of ongoing risk and to take care when travelling in the area of waterways.
The Edward Street Bridge reopened today and repairs to roads and trails will be ongoing throughout the week.
The City, through a temporary pumping station, is processing just over half the typical amount of sewage through the Atlantic Avenue Secondary Sewage Treatment Plant and steps will be taken over the next 24 hours to increase pumping capacity. The Declaration of Emergency will remain in place until further notice.
Residents and businesses are reminded to minimize the amount of water that is flushed or released down the drain, where possible, until further notice. City tap water is safe to drink [However, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit recommends those on private well water should bring the well water to a rolling boil for one minute before consumption].
There have been some concerns over pumping effort. A question was posed by a NetNewsledger reader. “Corner of Southern and May street in Thunder Bay, right now…are those city of tbay workers pumping the sewer water right into the Neebing River???? What is going on??? I get that we have problems…but seriously are they dumping crap into the river??? Is this legal??? Anyone?”
NetNewsledger took this question to the City of Thunder Bay to find out what was happening. Tim Commisso the City Manager responded, “All our pumping is being carried out based on consultation and oversight with MOE”.
That led to a follow up question as to what was being pumped into the watershed. We asked, “If the MOE is authorizing pumping of raw sewage into the Neebing River, who exactly has signed off on this order?”
“There are a few areas where pumping is necessary to reduce the level of storm water in the collection system. This water is being sampled and authorization has been obtained by the Ministry of the Environment,” states Kerri Marshall with the Environmental Department of the City of Thunder Bay. “We are pumping from the sanitary system which is flooded with storm water. This is being closely monitored and has been authorized by the MOE”.
There was a rumour that Thunder Bay North has its own separate sewage treatment plant, and therefore people could return to normal water use in the Northward. Marshall helps ‘mythbust’ that one. “Thunder Bay has only one Wastewater treatment plant.”
The following facilities remain closed until further notice: the Canada Games Complex, Churchill and Volunteer Pools, the 55 Plus Centres and the West Thunder Community Centre.
Residents and businesses are reminded to minimize the amount of water that is flushed or released down the drain, where possible, until further notice. City tap water is safe to drink [However, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit recommends those on private well water should bring the well water to a rolling boil for one minute before consumption].
The short-term reception centre is in place at the Neebing Arena with transportation available from the staging area at the Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue. Residents are encouraged to call 211 for more information.
Important contact numbers:
- Thunder Bay Hydro – 343-1111 or after hours 343-1002 – for electrical problems or concerns;
- Infrastructure & Operations – 625-2195 – to report flooding or for questions or concerns about City roads and other City infrastructure;
- Ministry of Transportation – 511 – for information about provincially-owned highways;
- 211 for general information and details on reception centre;
- 911 should only be called if there is an emergency.