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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-06-26, Page 1SEIP'S valu-mart 4& 83 Exeter 235-0262 �$ e Happy Canada Day ,:rt• < <,ir;ce 1873 SEIP'S valu-mart 4 & 83Exeter235-0262 k4 Cruise Night Wednesday, June2 s4-1, 11191 4Y7ool�% 6p.tri. VI_INN _.. IRE _IRE tf Tlmes-Aaren't dvocate, youa re suing Iubscribing to The Use the coupon below and subscribe todayl 1 Name: - 1 Address City 1 Prov. I Postal Code 5UBSCRIPTrnn RAM: maim11 yw 535. 2.45 OST•2 yw 563.4.41 OST Qinair.SIWABKi 1 1 year $63• 4.41 OST•2yw5119+8.33GST OMINQUAHADA 509.00 (Id. $66.40 Dom) 1 USE YOUR CREDIT CARO 00000000 1 00000000 Card No. Expiry Date ❑ Visa ❑ Master Card 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ❑ Cheque enclosed 1 Return to; TIMES ADVOCATE ■ 424 Main St. Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6gm am mu Inside Flood damage coverage See pages 2 and 3 Canada Day celebration See Second Front Crossroads Experts page 21 Announcements page 22 Classifieds pages 27-30 Explore your local parks on guided hikes in July EXETER - Take the opportunity to walk through your local conser- vation areas in July on guided hikes with ABCA staff. On July 2, Patti Donnelly will head a hike through Clinton Conservation Area (Clinton Lions Park). On July 16, Patti will be at Bannockburn Wildlife Area. Both hikes start at 7 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m. Clinton Conservation Area is 100 hectares in size. Although most people only know the front portion that includes the picnic area and fit- ness trail, the 73 hectare eastern portion is a retreat for naturalists. The Bayfield River valley has the three essential elements for birds and wildlife: food, shelter and wa- ter. Patti will take you to this por- tion of the Conservation Area to show you the features and answer your questions. The Clinton Lions Club has adopted the western portion of the park and is making improvements for park visitors. Because of their efforts, the ABCA can continue to protect the river valley and keep the area open for the public. Bannockburn Wildlife Area is a favorite place away from the towns and farms of Huron County. The rolling terrain has five natural com- munities within the 60 -acre site. Patti will lead you through the area, talking about the plants and ani- mals that make Bannockburn so special. The Huron Fish and Game Club donates money toward the mainte- nance of Bannockburn Wildlife Area. To help offset costs, the ABCA is charging S2 50 per person or $10. per family or these hikes. Take some time in July to find out more about your local parks. If you have any questions about the hikes, please call the Ausable Bay- field Conservation Authority at 519-235-2610. Kevin Buchanan stands in his flooded back yard at 67 Huron Street East during the Thursday morning clean-up. His newly furnished basement was flooded with four feet of water. Many of his neighbors faced a similar situation. Massive cleanup..is stili underway as damage from flood could hit millions EXETER - The once-in-a- hundred-year-tlood came hack to Exeter 73 years early. Torrential rains shortly after mid- night Thursday morning affected an estimated 100 homes. It left many Exeter residents cleaning up and bailing out when the drainage sys- tem running across town couldn't handle the millions of gallons of water that streamed into Exeter in such a short time. The storm hit the worst prior to 1:30 a.m. and it was all over by 2:30 a.m. This is the worst flood damage to strike Exeter in 27 years. It was July 24, 1969 when a sudden heavy downpour turned parts of Exeter into a disaster area. The situation was similar this time as the east -west drainage cul- vert and ditch running along Anne Street couldn't handle the run-off caused by accumulated water. Many homes in the Simcoe, James and Huron Street area were struck first as the water built up and raged west, across the Canadian Tire parking lot, through the store and across Main Street. The sloping Anne Street picked up the balance as the force of nature made its way westward behind the houses on William and Carling. Potential tragedy The flood was potentially tragic for a young Albert Street family. Shawna Clarke and her husband Gerry are crediting their dog, Max. for saving the life of their eight- month -old daughter. "Jessica was asleep in her crib when Max woke us up," Shawna said on Thursday morning. Gerry waded through knee-deep water in their home to get his daughter out of danger. "The water was higher than the electrical outlets but Gerry took the risk of being electrocuted to rescue his baby," said Shawna. A few hours later, when the couple had a chance to check the damage and reflect on their good fortune that Jessica was unharmed, the reality of the clean up ahead was sinking in. "We're moving," Gerry said. "To a house on a hill," added Shawna. The Clarkes are not covered by insurance. In fact, flood insurance is something many people are wish- ing they had as they face thousands of dollars in damage to repair their properties hack to a normal state. Store damage 414111Ms $ * ♦ a r• •0 IPy 40; j�• A f� e'ottiitil 44414 Chris MacDonald helps Garrett Colter cross Main Street In front of Canadian Tire. Water flowing down Anne Street was power- ful enough to carry them, and their floating air mattress, down a block to William Street. Staff at Dinney Furniture and Ca- nadian Tire worked most of the night cleaning up. Dinney Furniture ,appeared to be 'the worst off as wa- ter and mud poured into the store. Furniture was piled up everywhere, forcing owner Jon Dinney to seek a temporary location at 63 Main Street (formerly Campbell A'p- pliance and Furniture) to facilitate clean-up at the store. How much rain fell? The storm dumped approximately 3.5 inches of rain in an hour ac- cording to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority gauges. Although Exeter radar in- formation was not available on Thursday, estimates indicate the heaviest rain fell prior to 1:30. The worst hit arca was just south of Highway 83, according to ABCA Water and Planning Manager Alec Scott. In addition to residential and commercial' water damage, farmers suffered two -fold loss. Young crops that are in standing water will rot unless warn weather can dry up the fields quickly. As well, topsoil has washed off fields, leaving roots of plants exposed 'and carrying away seeds. "As you drive through the coun- tryside, you see the farmers' fields have had major wash outs," said Scott. "It's a double whammy. Some of the seeds washed out and some of it's still sitting under wa- ter." Although the storm caused se- rious damage for many Exeter and area residents, it could have been much worse. Most of Anne Street was spared major damage due to the completion of the Railway Cul- vert Improvement Project last summer. "I'm quite sure that if it hadn't of been done, there would bave been a lake similar to 1969," said Scott. In order to gather current area in- formation, Scott advises residents who have rain gauges call him at the ABCA office to record the data. According to Mayor Ben Hoo- genboom, a system could not be More photos o11 next page