LETTER

Many thanks! 

In the 4 weeks since we built the first sandbag dyke to protect our home,  it has been necessary to raise it, lengthen and double it to resist the water’s pressure. Even though the water is receding, we remain alert because the house could be flooded if the pumps stop.  We have been able to last this long, thanks to the support of so many.

Relatives, friends and neighbours, and many whom we had never met, volunteered to carry and stack sandbags or monitor the pumps so we could catch-up on needed sleep. This support touched us deeply; we have great gratitude to everyone who helped. Unable to thank you individually, we hope you will recognize yourselves in these lines. 

We specifically thank Audrey Bureau, without whom our house would probably be flooded today. Her coordination efforts resulted in sandbags being delivered along with volunteer support at the most critical times.

 

We have started planning  the post-flood, only to realize that there are many obstacles. The most frustrating is to be told that our house is not in a flood zone, while a meter of water surrounded it May 1st. The municipal authorities have shown initiative and leadership. We hope this continues and that the City will be open to innovative solutions, no longer based on outdated data and traditional methods of intervention.

Ron Powers and Manon Circé

Lake et Saratoga Streets