TORONTO – One man has been stuck living in a tent since last week’s storm destroyed his basement apartment.
Ken Hills lives along Cooksville Creek in Mississauga and is one of many people in the area displaced after flood waters wreaked havoc on their homes.
Water flowed in his doorway, windows and up through the drains as the Toronto area was deluged by 126 mm of rain, breaking the previous record of 121 mm set in October, 1954 during Hurricane Hazel.
Some neighbours had walls in their basements collapse, Hills said. Other structures have been condemned. In his basement, flood waters ruined family heirlooms, his mattress and damaged some walls.
But while last week’s storm set rainfall records, Hills said, it’s not the first time his basement apartment has flooded.
“This is the third time water has come up to the back door,” he said. “All I can say, it’s disgusting, it’s disappointing, it’s devastating.”
Because of the repeated flooding, Hills said, he couldn’t get insurance and now can’t replace priceless family heirlooms and most of his possessions.
“This is a very tragic situation,” Mississauga Councillor Bonnie Crombie said. “There is not a fund at the city that can help Mr. Hills.”
But Crombie did offer to help him find place in a shelter or put him in contact with the furniture bank.
But Hills said for the time being, he can stay in a tent he’s set up in the yard. His daughter has offered to give him some furniture.
TORONTO – One man has been stuck living in a tent since last week’s storm destroyed his basement apartment. Ken Hills lives along Cooksville Creek in Mississauga and is one of many people in the area displaced after flood waters wreaked havoc on their homes.Water flowed in his doorway, windows and up through the drains as the Toronto area was deluged by 126 mm of rain, breaking the previous record of 121 mm set in October, 1954 during Hurricane Hazel. Some neighbours had walls in their basements collapse, Hills said. Other structures have been condemned. In his basement, flood waters ruined family heirlooms, his mattress and damaged some walls. But while last week’s storm set rainfall records, Hills said, it’s not the first time his basement apartment has flooded. “This is the third time water has come up to the back door,” he said. “All I can say, it’s disgusting, it’s disappointing, it’s devastating.” Because of the repeated flooding, Hills said, he couldn’t get insurance and now can’t replace priceless family heirlooms and most of his possessions. “This is a very tragic situation,” Mississauga Councillor Bonnie Crombie said. “There is not a fund at the city that can help Mr. Hills.”But Crombie did offer to help him find place in a shelter or put him in contact with the furniture bank. But Hills said for the time being, he can stay in a tent he’s set up in the yard. His daughter has offered to give him some furniture.
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