THUNDER BAY – It is a sure sign that the emergency is over and that the recovery efforts have been successful. 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.
The Red Cross Registration and Assessment Centres will soon be closing. The St. Peter’s Church location will close on Friday, June 15, at noon, while the Confederation College McIntyre Building will close on Saturday, June 16, at 6 pm.
“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. Support will continue to be available by calling 98 Flood (983-5663).”
The Salvation Army van will discontinue its meal service on Friday at noon following the normal lunch run.
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.
Bag Limit Returning: As of next week, the three bag limit on garbage will be back in place. To assist residents and businesses affected by the flood, the City of Thunder Bay will continue the special free of charge large rubbish collection and the Solid Waste and Recycling Facility on Mapleward Road will be open Sunday as well as Saturday (8 am to 4:30 pm).
Safe Home Clean-up Program: About 520 homeowners have now registered for clean-up assistance through the Safe Home clean-up program through the City’s Facilities & Fleet Department, working with contractors, the Mennonite Disaster Team, Samaritan’s Purse and qualified volunteers.
Initial contact has been made with all 520 homes. The focus of the ongoing clean-up is on making homes safe and to address health issues. There are now only 73 homes needing assistance as of today, said Michael Smith, General Manager – Facilities and Fleet.
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.
City Clerk John Hannam reminds residents affected by the flood that the claims process will take some time. “A claim form is not available yet. We will make an announcement on the claims process as the Disaster Relief Committee gets underway,” Hannam said.
When claim forms are available, an announcement will be made and posted at Thunderbay.ca/flood.
PUBLIC MEETINGS: In keeping with the commitment made at the June 2 public meetings, the City is holding another set of public meetings on Saturday, June 23. Meetings will include an update and questions & answers followed by an opportunity to pick up claim forms and ask specific questions. Meetings will be held as follows:
- Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue, 1 to 2:30 pm
- Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road, 4 to 5:30 pm
Affected residents without insurance or inadequate coverage can get ready to make a claim by preparing lists; taking pictures of damaged property; keeping a diary; maintaining receipts, invoices and estimates.