There will be no disaster relief for residents of Leamington after what residents say was the worst flooding the region has seen for 20 years in April.
The Municipality has been formally advised that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs’ assessment process is now complete and that the Ministry has determined that “no areas were identified along Lake Erie where there was costly and widespread damage to eligible private property.”
According to the ministry, that damage that did occur does not meet the requirements under the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians Program.
Steve Longeway, the chair of the community associatrion, says the province's answer is disappointing.
"If we had money from the ministry it would help us to offset costs in repairing our breakwalls," he said.
High water levels and heavy wind sent water crashing into many shoreline communities between April 14 and 16, 2018. ERCA estimated 6-12 homes were destroyed in the storm and subsequent flooding.
Leamington mayor John Paterson says money to help residents repair their breakwalls should come from the shoreline protection act.
"For the last, I lost count on how many times I've sat in front of the minister and asked for funding to be put back into that program. They just havn't had it for I don't know how long," Paterson said.
The hotline set up at the Municipality of Leamington has now been discontinued. For more information on the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians Program, please visit the Ministry’s website.
