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Sudbury Flood Victims Still Without Homes Six Months Later
16 Oct
Summary
- Some residents remain without furnaces and basic necessities six months post-flood.
- Provincial disaster relief program guidelines exclude sewer backup damage.
- City claims wastewater infrastructure operated normally during the flooding.
Half a year after catastrophic spring flooding inundated parts of Greater Sudbury, numerous residents in Chelmsford, Ontario, continue to struggle without essential services, including functioning furnaces. Families are unable to access damaged nurseries, with entire living spaces rendered unusable due to persistent floodwaters and debris.
An information session hosted by Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on October 14th, aimed to clarify the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program. However, access was denied to news reporters, and many affected neighbors remained unaware of available funding or questioned their eligibility, as the program excludes damage from sewer backups.
Residents on Belanger Street reported water entering their homes primarily through sewer backups, and possibly groundwater pressure, rather than overtopping a nearby river berm. They expressed disappointment with the City of Greater Sudbury's response, questioning the proper functioning of the city's water infrastructure, an assertion the city denies, stating their systems operated normally with 24-hour monitoring and additional pumping equipment.
The widespread damage includes flooded basements, heaved floors, submerged electrical panels, and offline furnaces. Some homes have experienced sinkholes forming near foundations, and residents have had to boil water for basic needs. While private insurance provided some relief, costs have exceeded coverage, leaving many in precarious financial and living situations as winter approaches.
