Six Nations, Brantford remain in state of emergency
Hamilton and Haldimand County still on alert for flooding this weekend as rains not done yet
BRANTFORD — The water-logged city started turning its attention to recovery after the Grand River continued to drop Friday, but officials stress a state of emergency remains in effect until the fallout can be assessed.
Thousands of people from three Brantford neighbourhoods started heading home Thursday night to survey damage.
The Brant County SPCA, onsite at evacuation centres to take care of pets, also had to move all of its animals to the Brantford airport because its regular location was in the evacuation zone.
River levels continued to drop overnight Thursday, measuring 2.9 metres Friday afternoon compared to the peak of 6.99 metres, the city said in a news release.
Union Gas representatives expected to have service restored to most customers by the end of Friday, and Brantford Power had electricity turned on in most homes by the morning.
Mayor Chris Friel said the provincial Ministry of Transportation had inspected bridges affected by the flood and given the all-clear to reopen all vehicle bridges. Pedestrian bridges, however, remained closed.
Public works staff will continue to monitor bridges and the river over the coming days in case another “extreme flow” or “ice event” occurs.
Six Nations also remained in a state of emergency Friday due to high flows on the Grand River, which caused flooding and prompted a voluntary evacuation within the affected areas.
In Ohsweken, a family stranded at their home due to flooding had to be rescued by emergency service workers Thursday night.
Two adults and a child were brought out of their house on Fourth Line by Brantford and Six Nations firefighters using amphibious, all-terrain vehicles, Fire Chief Matthew Miller said in a news release.
Hamilton remains under a flood watch until Wednesday, due to high water levels and expected precipitation, the Hamilton Conservation Authority says.
In Haldimand County, a flood warning remains in effect for low-lying areas of Cayuga, Dunnville and Port Maitland, where flows on the Grand River are expected to fluctuate over the next few days.
Representatives from the Insurance Bureau of Canada will be in Brantford to assist residents affected by flooding, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre, which is located at 333 Erie Ave.
For those with no flood insurance, representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs will be in the affected neighbourhoods Sunday to see if residents are eligible for the Disaster Recovery Assistance program.
Those looking to help flood victims can donate food items to the Brantford Food Bank; or clothing, personal items and cleaning supplies to the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 67 Charing Cross St.