Leamington won’t receive cash for flood damage
The mayor of Leamington is expressing disappointment that the town’s shoreline properties don’t qualify for funding from the province’s Disaster Recovery Assistance program.
Mayor John Paterson had hoped the program would help cover damage sustained by private properties during a sudden, violent storm on April 16.
“We went to great lengths. We pulled all of our building department staff off their jobs and had them out on that 10-kilometre shoreline, inspecting 250-plus properties,” Paterson said on Friday. “We put a report together quickly and got it to the ministry.” Despite such efforts, Paterson said the town received a letter from the province on Thursday explaining that “no areas were identified along Lake Erie where there was costly and widespread damage to eligible private property.” Areas such as Marentette Beach were hardest hit by the storm. Paterson said many of the properties were disqualified because they are summer homes rather than permanent dwellings. “A number of the properties that were damaged are not necessarily principal residences,” Paterson said. “That is what the DRA program covers — principal residences. Not rental income properties, and not cottages.” Paterson said he understands the program is not intended to replace insurance. In fact, a section of the program’s guidelines states that it does not offer assistance for costs associated with landscaping or structures for shoreline protection such as breakwalls, which were the biggest concern for those affected by the April storm. Paterson said he’ll continue to push for support for breakwalls. “I’ve been asking for three or four years now,” he said. “The province has been very clear that they’re not interested in funding that. But with our event in April, and Kingsville, Tecumseh and Lakeshore and Pelee Island saying they need help — maybe if all of us can get our voices together, the province will step forward.” “I haven’t quit. I know it has to be done,” he said. “All of us who live here know how bad it was. The lake levels are back up. This storm, it was just like tilting a bowl full of water.”