“Too soon to estimate” cost of crippling storm

April 1, 2016 · 0 Comments

It’s “too soon to estimate costs” to clean up after the crippling ice storm that hit the area on March 24 and continued to cause damage throughout the Easter Weekend leaving thousands without power, says Shelburne’s Chief Administrative Officer John Telfer.

“It is times like these, when we lose those services that we all take for granted, that we truly appreciate the men and women in public service,” said Mayor Ken Bennington “I would like to thank the residents of Shelburne for their patience as we all waited for the power to be restored to our homes.”

As of 9 a.m. Easter Monday, some businesses and residents of Shelburne were still experiencing the effects of the intense ice storm and subsequent winds.

Heavy ice on power lines caused hydro outages for over 100,000 Hydro One customers across the region and north to Barrie.

Heavy rain and severe electrical storms throughout the early hours of Monday complicated Hydro One’s already challenging job of restoring power to the last of approximately 10,000 customers.

According to reports by the company, the areas of Orangeville, Alliston and Guelph were the hardest hit.

Emergency Management was initiated in Shelburne on March 24 and would continue to monitor the situation until full recovery.

By around 2.25 p.m. on March 25, North of Main Street had received power. South of Main waited for power to resume while Hydro crews continued to repair significantly damaged areas.

A warming centre was setup March 25 at the Mel Lloyd Centre and was converted to a shelter for some residents. Residents could go to the shelter to get warm, shower and recharge cell phones.

By Monday, March 28 at 7 p.m., the warming station was closed as the Town returned to normal.

The CAO reported that significant tree loss in all areas of Shelburne cleanup took up most of March 25 by all available crews and contractor workers, and continued throughout March 26.

Approximately 20 hydro lines came down in the storm with many repaired in town throughout the long weekend.

Shelburne’s CAO commented he is “pleased with the resiliency of the residents to begin cleaning up – neighbours helping neighbours and a general positive attitude to the situation.”

Mayor Bennington echoed the CAO’s sentiment for the citizens of Shelburne.

“I am truly humbled to see neighbours helping neighbours, whether it be carrying tree limbs, providing a hot meal, or running an extension cord to those in need,” he said. “These actions truly represent the word community and our community has proven we stand together when disaster strikes.”

Added CAO Telfer: “Thanks to our fire, police, administration staff, mayor and county EOC personnel for the professional and long hours served to date. To our contract people, thank you also for the quick response and resources. Thank you to the County and Red Cross for all their help as well.

“Until everyone has power and damaged areas are fixed, we will monitor the situation and send in resources as needed. We continue to ask for patience as we cleanup and await Hydro One to restore power to everyone. We are pleased with the professional and willing partnership we have between all emergency forces and our Town staff in Administration and Public Works. They should all be commended for their efforts over the Easter weekend.”

Mayor Ken Bennington personally thanked, “Town of Shelburne staff, both
Administration and Public Works for giving up their holiday long weekend to
serve the residents of Shelburne and beyond, during the storm.

“The men and women of Shelburne Police, Shelburne Fire, Dufferin EMS, and Hydro crews, deserve our endless appreciation for their service to our community. The men and women of Shelburne Police, Shelburne Fire, Dufferin EMS, and Hydro crews, deserve our endless appreciation for their service to our community.

“More thanks again to the Dufferin County staff and volunteers that opened the warming stations to provide warmth, beds and hot showers to those residents with extended power outages.”

By Marni Walsh