Storm repair work underway
Cleanup and repair work is still ongoing throughout West Hants Regional Municipality following the severe July 2023 storm system.
As work progresses, the municipality is getting a better idea of the extent of the damage, and the repair costs.
Mayor Abraham Zebian said the municipality was lucky that insurance and disaster assistance funding will cover the repairs.
“All insurable through either our private insurance through the municipality or disaster mitigation. We were fortunate that they qualify. We’re very fortunate,” Zebian said in an interview March 5.
Carlee Rochon, the municipality’s director of finance, told council in February it will be put through as a "catastrophic claim," with an estimated total to date in the $800,000 range.
Mark Phillips, the municipality’s chief administrative officer (CAO), outlined three major areas that were impacted by the storm. They were the Hants County War Memorial Community Centre, the Pisiquid Canoe Club on the Windsor waterfront, and the former Mantua rail line that the municipality owns.
The July 21-22 storm dumped about 200 millimetres of rainfall on the region, causing flash floods and significant property damage. Four people lost their lives during the storm.
DAMAGED BUILDINGS
The Hants County War Memorial Community Centre, located across from Victoria Park on Thomas Street in Windsor, received extensive water damage to the basement.
The community groups that use the downstairs – like the Gliders and Windsor and District Lions Club – have been temporarily displaced.
“For the most part, the insurance-related damage is nearing completion and we hope soon to have full access … to both levels of the building,” said Phillips.
While repairs are being carried out, Phillips said the municipality is also looking to make improvements to the building to prevent future damage.
In his report, Phillips noted that “potential improvements are being proposed as water continues to penetrate the building during moderate rainfall. Short-term solutions are being carried out, such as improved gutters and replacing back-flow prevention valves within the sewer system.”
Coun. Jim Ivey asked for more details on the extent of the damage to the community centre as well as cost estimates.
“So, with respect to the damage, as you can imagine, we had two or three feet of water in the basement,” Phillips said.
Both Phillips and the mayor said staff discovered some “chronic issues” that were associated with the building, including a cracked foundation.
“The intensity of the July event, in some cases, overwhelmed some of our deficiencies or made our deficiencies irrelevant because of the intensity of the event and the sewer water and so forth that a lot of folks in that area experienced,” Phillips said.
The CAO described it as “an old building that is struggling” and any large repairs that wouldn’t be covered through insurance or the disaster assistance fund but may be needed would be brought to council for consideration.
The residential homes on Stannus Street that neighbour the community centre also received significant damage due to the storm. On July 22, there was a roadblock at the intersection of Stannus and Thomas streets due to pooling water.
“A lot of water went into the basement,” said Zebian in an interview, describing the required renovation as being “a complete gut” of the basement.
The Pisiquid Canoe Club building, overlooking Windsor’s waterfront, also sustained water damage when Lake Pisiquid overflowed during the storm.
“There was an enormous amount of water,” said Zebian.
The extent of the damage was to the bottom level of the building.
The CAO said they may not restore it to the same “traditional interior standard” level as before. He said municipal officials are considering alternatives as staff doesn’t feel it needs to be exactly the same.
“Although the value of it has been honoured by the insurance company, essentially, there’s your value, work with that money, do what you want with it, but of course, it has to be applied to the facility,” he told council.
RAIL LINE
In the CAO’S written report, he noted the municipality has “a clear action plan for repairs” to the former Mantua rail line. The recommendations were provided by engineering services.
“A restoration including the re-establishment of a culvert system and infilling to restore the rail bed is the recommendation. The procurement process will be carried out to initiate this work,” he wrote.
Phillips noted the municipally owned rail line “remains the largest area of damage due to the flash floods.”
FUTURE CONSIDERATION
Like homeowners, Zebian said there’s only so much the municipality can do to protect its properties from the elements.
“As much as you do, you’ll never weather-proof it if we get that much water again,” he said.
Zebian said West Hants officials have exercises lined up with EMO to help the municipality better prepare for future weather events like the one witnessed last summer.
“With the way things are going, unfortunately, you’re probably going to have a next one. You learn from things that happen and hopefully you’re better equipped for the next one,” he said.
The mayor said the municipality has made small insurance claims in the past, like replacing a library window after someone broke into the facility a few years ago. He said it has never had to put in a claim for anything like the damage sustained during the
While repairs are being carried out, Phillips said the municipality is also looking to make improvements to the building to prevent future damage.