Port Hawkesbury Council addresses flood damage and stormwater infrastructure

The Port Hawkesbury Town Council is addressing the aftermath of severe flash flooding that occurred on September 4 and 5. The storm, which dropped approximately 120 millimetres of rain, caused significant damage including downed trees, power disruptions, flooded basements, and sewer backups in areas such as Tamarac Heights, Grant’s Pond, and Reynolds and Granville Streets.

To address infrastructure concerns, the council will hear a presentation from Strum Engineering regarding an ongoing assessment of stormwater issues in the Tamarac subdivision. This assessment aims to identify potential solutions to protect residents from future major rainfall events.

In response to the disaster, the town has applied for infrastructure funding through the Municipal Innovation Program, which can cover up to 70% of project costs. During the emergency, the town hosted a Regional Emergency Management station at the Civic Centre, which included provincial officials such as Premier Tim Houston.