In an extraordinary turn of events, the ordinary quiet of Glencoe, Ontario was replaced with the constant drumming of tumultuous rain. Local residents, in the face of such constant rain described the deluge as “unprecedented.” Rain gauges in the community showed measurements hitting the 200mm mark (about 8 inches) across a single Wednesday evening.
The rains were hardest during the later parts of the day, rudely sweeping across Glencoe’s Main and bit-part roads, an uninvited guest of a rather destructive kind. However, the raw force of nature in all its unhindered glory was most powerfully exhibited barely 10 kilometres to the north of the town.
There, a significant section of Dundonald Road, a crucial access route serving the Lambton County communities, was thoroughly washed out. In the aftermath of the road’s collapse, a transport truck laden with a chemical compound hurtled into the newfound opening. “It was a pretty horrific scene,” said OPP Const. Jeff Hare.
Despite the quick arrival of emergency responders, little help could be provided for the unfortunate transport operator. Const. Hare provided insight, “There was a lone transport truck that had fallen into the opening. Tragically, the driver could not be saved due to the injuries sustained in the collision.”
The ill-fated driver was later revealed to be a 59-year-old resident of Mississauga. As road workers were deployed to repair the damage, police announced that the affected roadway would remain out of service for at least a few weeks.
The news of the driver’s death sent shockwaves through Glencoe, prompting reflections on the sheer force of nature. Amid the tumultuous floods, Trevor Sinclair found himself fighting a losing battle against nature as water quickly filled his home.
He explained his ordeal by saying, “Saw a bit of water, and next thing you know we decided to move some stuff to the garage, and when we got back inside it was too late. Everything was just covered in water.”
Firms like Pillar Restoration found themselves attending to numerous homes with flooded basements in Glencoe and neighbouring communities. Sean Boucher of Pillar Restoration shed more light on the situation, “In some of the places, houses and their foundations have two feet or more of water. You know sump pumps can not keep up with it.”
As the community grapples with this disaster, damage assessment remains underway but is expected to run up significant financial tolls. This is also inclusive of damages to local farmlands, according to Southwest Middlesex Mayor Allan Mayhew.
