Homeowners not buying storm of century defence
Residents demanding action to improve city’s capacity to weather downpours
Windsor homeowner Sean LaBute sits in the ruins of what used to be his dream basement and wonders where his tax dollars have been going.
“This was a special spot for me,” the Riverside resident said in the lower level of his house on Isabelle Place. “For the city to be investing in Christmas lights and flags and white elephants — it should be infuriating to every resident.”
“Where’s the infrastructure? Is the city more concerned about its esthetics and PR than the wellbeing of its people?”
LaBute was one of thousands of homeowners across the region who spent Wednesday dealing with flood damage to their property.
Throughout LaBute’s street and other neighbourhoods, curbs were piled high with waterlogged carpets, spoiled furniture, broken appliances and irreplaceable personal belongings.
It’s the second time LaBute has been through this. After his home flooded during the massive rainfall event of September 2016, he decided to renovate — customizing the basement in the theme of his favourite science-fiction franchise, the Alien series.
New drywall, new flooring, leather couches, LEDs, a unique paint job, a mural-sized print of a xenomorph — LaBute estimates he spent more than $20,000 on the project, and it was finally perfect in July.
But it was all washed away on Tuesday afternoon.
“Within 15 minutes, there were 18 inches to two feet of water in here,” LaBute said. “Not just the drain. It was fountaining from the toilet, from the shower.”
“Everything has to be torn out of here now. The bedroom — that’s a $4,000 bed. It’s destroyed.”
LaBute said he was running pumps and shop vacuums until 2 a.m. Wednesday to lower the water level. After a few hours sleep, it was time to start ripping up the carpet. “Making that first cut — it was painful.”
Aside from the personal loss, LaBute has concerns as a citizen. He pointed to the health threats of flooding — from electrical dangers during the flood to fungal respiratory risks afterward. He noted the vulnerability of elderly residents and those with special needs.
As for the suggestion that Tuesday’s deluge was an anomaly — an act of nature that no amount of preparation could mitigate — LaBute isn’t buying it.
“Look at the history of Windsor. We’re in the Great Lakes Basin. Precipitation is higher than other areas. We’re in a low-lying area .... We know this. We should not be reactionary. We should be pre-emptive.”
“Storm of the century, they said. This is the second time. This must be a really bad century,” he added wryly.
Residents all over Riverside had similar thoughts.
Judy Cole, who lives with her husband Stew on Cedarview Street, said Tuesday’s overflow was the fifth time their basement has flooded since they moved in.
“We used to have wall-to-wall carpeting. We used to have a nice pool table down there. We used it as a rec room,” Cole said. “But over the years, as each flood came, we just stopped. We took out the carpeting. There’s not a lot down there, now. Everything ’s in bins.”
“You give up, after so many times.”
The Coles have dealt with flooding so often that they’ve become familiar with the early indicators. “I was down there at 2 p.m. (Tuesday) when I heard it. The floor drains start gurgling, and you know the city lines are full. You’re done.”
Belleperche Place homeowner James Fullerton, who was furious about his flooded basement on Tuesday night, was still fuming on Wednesday afternoon.
“This ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ storm prediction is total bull,” said the 75-year-old Riverside resident. “Anytime, any day. That’s the truth. The city needs more pumping stations. They don’t have enough capacity.”
“It’s not ‘once in a lifetime.’ It’s going to be once a year, and maybe even more.”
St. Rose Avenue resident Ray Piche has yet to hear from an insurance adjuster, but his personal assessment was grim.
“I think the furnace is done,” Piche said. “Our washer and dryer are done. Fridge, freezer, all the furniture — we’ve already put it outside. There’s nothing salvageable. It’s upwards of $25,000, I would think.”
Piche said he’s been talking with fellow residents about how they can “collectively approach this problem.” What form that might take, he’s not yet sure.
Asked if a class-action lawsuit is in the realm of possibility, he replied: “Anything is in the realm of possibility to get this fixed. Something is not right.”
Meanwhile, municipal services struggled to keep up with public demand. As of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Windsor’s 311 information system received 2,688 reports of basement flooding.
The city is now asking the public to report their issues online (via www.citywindsor.ca) rather than by phone.
Ward 4 Coun. Chris Holt encouraged anyone in Windsor who experienced flooding to report it — even if you don’t think the city can help you. The collected data will play a role in future funding and planning decisions.
The universally negative reaction to yet another flood event has led one Windsor real estate broker to ask: Are local buyers ready to consider homes without basements?
“Traditionally, projects to build new homes without basements are not well-received by this market,” said Peter Valente of Valente Real Estate on Wednesday.
“I think it’s something people should consider .... With the environmental events we’ve been having, maybe it’s better to build slab-on-grade types of homes. Maybe it’s better to keep home prices down and not have to deal with these massive cleanups.”
U-HAUL GENEROSITY
Windsor’s weather situation has inspired the Western Ontario division of the U-Haul Company to make a generous offer: 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage for any residents in and around Windsor who have been impacted by the flood.
“As a caring community member, U-Haul is pledging to help by offering families a safe and dry place to store their possession,” said David Anstett, president of UHaul’s Western Ontario division.
Those interested in the offer can contact any of U-Haul’s four Windsor moving and storage locations: Forest Glade (226315-1708), South Walkerville (226-216-0546), South Windsor (519-737-1391), or Dougall Avenue (519-966-3880).
Precipitation is higher than other areas. We’re in a low-lying area .... We know this. We should not be reactionary. We should be pre-emptive.