HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-06-29, Page 6Municipality of
Morris-Turnberry
PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017.
NH, M -T emergency planning tested by flood waters
Breaking the bank (s)
As a result of a significant, brief rain event over northern Huron County and the surrounding
communities on Thursday, low-lying areas were at a risk of flooding. On Saturday, the water in
Wingham hit its peak and the Maitland River broke its banks upstream of the Howson Dam,
flooding spaces like the park above. (Denny Scott photo)
Maitland Valley Conservation Auth- that storm didn't hit the Morris -
By Denny Scott ority (MVCA) of the possibility of Turnberry area as had been
The Citizen the river rising more than it already predicted.
had," Michie said. "The muni- "All during Friday and Saturday,
cipality monitored water levels there was continuous comm -
throughout Friday and, around 4 unication with the MVCA, Morris -
p.m., prepared and sent letters for Turnberry Mayor Paul Gowing,
Lower Town Wingham area of the municipal public works staff and
possibility of flooding and ratepayers in the affected area.
possibility of evacuation." "We prepared our Emergency
As the water levels of the Maitland Control Centre, but did not call the
River rose, Michie said, the group together," Michie said. "We
municipality was informed that the did not feel it was necessary at the
emergency floodway at the Gorrie time. We had no evacuation and felt
Dam failed. The floodway was the previously -delivered letters were
designed to be breached if water sufficient and the property owners
levels were too high for the dam were aware that the area and
according to Jayne Thompson, situation were being monitored. If
Communications Coordinator of the there was any need for evacuation,
MVCA. property owners would be advised."
As a result of the news, the Aside from the letters to the
municipality set public works property owners, the municipality
employees on a rotation to monitor posted reports to its website, Twitter
the municipality's vulnerable flood account and local radio stations.
areas continually from 5 p.m. on On Monday, Michie spent time in
June 23 until 6 p.m. the next day. communication with the provincial
At that time, however, bad news Minister of Municipal Affairs
continued as the municipality was regarding emergency disaster
warned that another storm was recovery funding. She told The
predicted. Fortunately, Michie said, Citizen that damages would be
Municipalities in the northern end
of Huron County had an all -hands-
on -deck situation over the weekend
as flooding saw dams overwhelmed,
roads closed and property damaged.
On June 23, a significant rainfall
saw, in some areas, nearly 180
millimetres of precipitation dumped
overnight, resulting in floods,
dangerously -high river levels and
emergency situations and road
closures throughout North Huron,
Morris-Turnberry, Huron East and
the surrounding communities.
MORRIS-TURNBERRY
Morris-Turnberry Administrator
Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie
explained to The Citizen on Monday
that the start of the storm signalled a
very busy weekend for the
municipality's staff.
"On June 23, there was significant
rainfall in the area," she said.
"Throughout the municipality, we
had reports of four -and -a -half to
seven inches of rain."
The first issue the municipality
had to deal with was the Gregory
Municipal Drain north of Wingham,
Michie said.
"There was significant flooding in
that area, however, as the day
progressed, we were advised by the
MEETING NOTICE
The upcoming meetings for
the Municipality of Morris-
Turnberry will be held:
Tuesday July 4 — 7:30 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 12 — 7:30 p.m.
Special Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 18 — 7:30 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting
Thursday, July 27 — 7:30 p.m.
Special Council Meeting
Public Meeting — Official Plan
5 Year Review to be held at the
Bluevale Community Centre,
32 Clyde Street, Bluevale
assessed to determine if applications
would be available.
The municipality suffered some
damage, including erosion on some
of the roads, which was handled by
public works staff.
As a result of the flooding at the
Gregory Municipal Drain, a local
nursing home lost an emergency
exit. Michie said the municipality's
drainage superintendent was on site
to assess the situation.
Anyone with damage to report
should contact the municipal office
at 519-887-6137. Michie said the
municipality will put them in contact
with the province or provide a form
to report the damage.
NORTH HURON
North Huron was first made aware
of the issues resulting from the rain
around noon on June 23. Prior to 1
p.m., the municipality's staff was
involved with a conference call with
MVCA representatives regarding the
flooding, according to Chief
Administrative Officer Sharon
Chambers.
As a result, the municipality's
Emergency Control Group met at
1 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
"We were briefed by the MVCA
about the extensive rainfall in the
area and the potential that the
Gorrie Dam could be breeched,"
Chambers said in a phone interview
with The Citizen on Monday
afternoon.
The MVCA provided maps of
where the water could reach if the
dam failed, and, with that mapping,
the group assessed what damage
could happen downstream.
"We created a list of properties
and property owners who were
going to be impacted as to how we
were going to notify those
Continued on page 7
PHOTO OF T H E DAY
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