Today Benno and I went on foot along the Lakeshore Drive and its extension, Cotterie Park, in our neighborhood. It was cold, 2C/35F with occasional snow flurries. A 27km/16 mph wind from the west bit into our faces as we walked. This is a reversal wind from the devastating storm we had from the east that had caused the flood. Actually, it was the combination of the extreme high water level of Lake Erie and the prolonged strong winds from the east that created those damaging waves.
Along the stretch we met up with our friends who live on a raised property across the road overlooking the Lake Erie. They also were spared any damage but we all feel terrible about the destruction we observed in the neighborhood. While looking at the rubble left everywhere, Rich Garton, a News Reporter from CTV Windsor joined us to take pictures and together we climbed the dislocated boulders and rubble to view what an impact the waves had along the shore. Paul, our friend, volunteered to be interviewed about the flood and that footage will be aired tonight at 6 pm and 11 pm on CTV Windsor.
There used to be a large porch/deck behind this house. There was no trace of it anywhere, only pieces of wood strewn everywhere, and broken windows where the Lake Erie had entered the house and caused major destruction inside and on the roof as well.
One property had chickens picking at something on the driveway. These you could call free range chickens, as their coop must have been destroyed as well.
Backhoes and frontend loaders were at work in various areas to push large amounts of beach sand and rocks off the road, cut down trees that had fallen onto the road and relocating large boulders onto the shore where the lake had broken through. Our town’s mayor estimated the damage in the millions and it will be a long time for the area to be restored to its former beauty.
There is a lot more damage along the shore and on Pulley Rd. toward Wheatley Harbor, but we had seen enough and hope that relief funds will be provided by the various government agencies to the people in need.
On a positive note, the flat screen TV that had fallen off the bedroom wall in the camper while driving home is not a casualty of the I-75 and it is now hanging in Benno’s shop and working fine.
Oh my, what a mess. And they couldn't do a thing against that strong force.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was a mess but cleanup has begun. High water levels and strong wind can cause some havoc.
DeleteOh dear! That is terrible! Hopefully no one was hurt but I can't imagine dealing with that kind of damage to sheds, porches and homes. I hope the relief is available.
ReplyDeleteStay dry and warm!
There will be some relief for residents, not so much for recreational properties, driveways or sheds. Everyone is ok as far as we know.
DeleteWe saw the News Cast last evening and were wondering how far that was from your home.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were not one of the major casualties of this storm.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
We are on a side street off Lakeshore Drive which runs parallel to the Lake Erie. Our property is a little less than 500 ft. from the lake. Some property owners have built retaining walls and those had little to no damage as well as the ones that have raised their houses. We are also on a raised property and were ok.
DeleteAmazing the damage that was caused by the storm, at least you guys are ok and had very little damage.
ReplyDeleteWe only had some debris on the lawn which I raked off today. The city of Leamington is cleaning up and bringing in boulders by the truckloads.
DeleteMother Nature and the power of water is sure something, isn't it. I noticed your question to George about their new phone plan. We got the plan last fall before we left. Two phones and 19 GB shared between us. By stacking the GB plans, we got 19 GB for less than buying 15 GB plan.
ReplyDeleteWe have had no issues anywhere in the states with service. It cost us $293 a month. This is all we have for here at home and away in the winter, it is called the North American plan.
ReplyDeleteWow, you got a five star package for your phone service. You both are covered wherever you go. Technology is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
DeleteThe same package we got too, love it!
DeleteI think that 293.00 per month is a lot of money, too much for us.
DeleteQuite the mess Mother Nature left. Heart breaking as it is, it wall all be repaired over time but the sense of peace and security those families had may be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like to fix what is broken might be more of an issue for some as the City of Leamington has issued numerous "Order to remedy unsafe building" citations to those poor homeowners that had major damage. That means they (owners) have to hire licensed workmen to do the fixing, incl. building permits and have inspections done by the building department. etc. Also, they cannot retrieve what has fallen into the lake, only add boulders and stones. There is no flood insurance and the city of Leamington nor ERCA (Essex Region Conservation Authority) are building a seawall. It is up to each individual.
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