Open letter to residents along Goulais River from MNR

Goulais River Emergency Preparedness – Potential Flooding

March 28, 2006 - Goulais River, Ontario.

Did you know...

- That at least four times during the last decade the residents of Goulais, Kirby's Corners and Searchmont have suffered disruption to their lives and property due to flood - That in 1988, ice jams caused flooding which resulted in property damage exceeding $250,000. Ice flows can actually move a house! Furthermore, response staff from the community, government and other agencies literally risked their lives evacuating people marooned in their homes. It has been recommended that anyone attempting to take a boat through floating ice move with the current, not against it. - That Great Lakes Power will shut off the power to entire neighbourhoods affected by flooding. This may affect people who depend on dialysis and ventilators for health reasons. In the event of power outages, ensure you are adequately equipped with the essentials (eg: drinking water, candles). Also the use of generators as an alternate source of power feeds back out to the system that was thought to be dead. - That snowmobile trails on the Goulais River can result in considerably thicker ice build-up, which can, during spring run-off, delay break-up and cause jams, resulting in greater risk of flooding - That during a declared 'Emergency', such as the April 1988 flood, OPP are empowered to protect life, property and welfare of affected residents. This means, for example, that an officer or a member of the Fire and Rescue Brigade may request that you and your family leave your residence until the threat of flooding is over. Please cooperate; rescue is often a dangerous task, especially during the night, both for the people being rescued and the rescuer as well. At all times these people act with discretion and rely on your cooperation.

- If individuals decide to stay in their residents after a declared 'Emergency', they may be required to pay for any cost incurred in their rescue. - That in the event of an area being flooded, the telephones lines in that particular area will be temporarily disconnected so that phone service will not become disrupted for the entire area. - Occasionally, we are obligated to close roads, or sections of roads due to flooding. On theses occasions the OPP will not permit anyone to travel beyond an established barrier.

- Response staff have met to analyze and plan for 2006. We will continue to monitor the water levels as spring moves closer.

- Members of the Goulais, Aweres and Searchmont Fire and Rescue Brigades are the most important link in flood planning and response.

These people are your neighbours and friends, let them know what a good job they are doing to help you.

For further information feel free to contact:

Ministry of Natural Resources Kirk Dillabough Algoma Area Resource Technician (705) 949-1231 ext. 227 [email protected] 64 Church Street Sault Ste Marie, Ontario P6A 3H3

Or visit the website.

Or call any MNR office for information at 1-800-667-1940 (English) or 1-800-667-1840 (French) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

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