Pounding December rains pushed Hamilton dangerously close to a devastating flood that would have overwhelmed up to 3,000 waterfront properties. Officials were so worried about the rising waters they also took emergency precautions to protect the downtown. It could have been the "New Orleans of the North," Councillor Lloyd Ferguson declared yesterday as staff outlined how close the city came to a disaster Dec. 1. The Woodward Avenue water treatment plant ran at its highest level ever during the storm that dumped up to 66 millimetres in parts of the city. It was the first time the plant was forced to use all eight of its pumps.
"Staff work avoided a potential catastrophe," said Jim Harnum, director of water and waste water. Workers reinforced portions of the operation to prevent a sewage leak that could have shorted out the entire system. That would have flooded downtown Hamilton.
Did Councillor Ferguson and Carrie Le Roy; writer of this piece of over exaggeration; lose their senses? I had to think back to what storm they where talking about. That "fateful" December day, was definitely nothing close to what the story tells. I went to work that Friday like any day, and not once was I concerned with a little rain. The bus home didn't need to navigate it's way through any sea of flood water, no persons or animals where forced from their homes. I live in an old home and even a little heavy rain causes the tool room to flood. That night nada!
So where does Mr. Ferguson get off using such a careless metaphor, he should be ashamed of comparing 66 mm of rain to what they experienced in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and does The Spectator need a proof reader so that this kind of quote never makes print, maybe?
At least 1,300 people died in New Orleans. About 6,600 people, including 1,300 children, are still missing. At the worst in Hamilton, some homes would have sustained damage -- certainly upsetting and costly, but compared to thousands missing and dead? I think not. Shame Mr. Ferguson, I hope this kind of slip never happens again.
Later,
Kenaz
