Weathering the storm
Householders hit by flooding asked to present photographs of damage
Barrhead is to seek provincial government aid in the wake of last week’s thunderstorms.
The Town wants householders hit by flooding to come forward with photographs, videos or other evidence of damage.
Mayor Brian Schulz was anxious not to raise false hopes about outside help, saying there was no guarantee of government funding.
“We are making a list of people who have had water damage,” he said last Tuesday. “They should contact the Town Office and present pictures, or other forms of evidence.
“We will see what assistance might be available. The Town is here to help our residents and we will do all we can do.”
Schulz sympathized with those affected by flooding in a basement or another part of their property.
Public Works crews, he said, had been out and about until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. tackling floodwater and helping communities regain a sense of normality.
One of the worst affected neighbourhoods was the Coronet subdivision, where workers removed manhole covers to drain the water.
“Our crews did a good job everywhere,” said Schulz, who inspected some of the flood-hit areas on Monday night. “Unfortunately the amount of water was too much for our system to handle. You can never make a system that can accommodate every rainfall.”
Schulz said Barrhead had not seen such a rainstorm since last year. Figures show up to 1.2 inches of rain had fallen by 9 p.m. on Monday, most of it within a short period.
“Once we worried about not getting enough water, now we have had our fair share of it,” Schulz said.
“I feel the Town has taken steps over the last few years to increase the amount of water our system can handle. Still we get basements flooded and I don’t know whether we can ever solve that problem.”
Last Wednesday, Chief Administration Officer Martin Taylor said he had only received five calls from people about flooding, and none about sewage.
“Of course, sometimes it takes a while for people to call,” he said. “It could take a few days.”
Taylor said the flooding inspired great acts of neighbourliness. He had heard about an Australian who had gone above and beyond in helping others.
“We want to thank him,” he said. “Some people really stepped up during the storm.”
Taylor also praised the efforts of Public Works crews and the Fire Department.
“You have to remember the fire personnel are all volunteers,” he said.
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