More than 30 workers from Hydro One are in Angus today to help tarp homes for residents to prevent further damage.
Chris Reynolds knew people in Angus were worried about their family treasures trapped inside homes with no roofs.
“I seen the people there in a touch spot I just…I know they didn’t want anyone on the buildings.”
“I had no roof so if it rains on Wednesday everything would get wrecked that’s not already wrecked,” said one Angus resident.
Along with his colleagues at Hydro One, Reynolds petitioned his company to step up and help out.
“I thought maybe we got the rigging to fly over top and drop tarts and they really wanted tarps on their stuff and I was thinking we could do it.”
On Sunday the sky over the devastated subdivision were dotted with an army of buckets. Volunteers were on a day off, spreading out taros and providing relief.
“The hydro guys that live here saw a problem and they found a solution. They worked it up their chain and it’s really been worked on by boots on the ground folks,” says Essa Fire Chief Cynthia Ross Tustin.
“We have permission from 37 home owners to tarp their roof and it’s taking us approximately 15 to 20 minutes per roof,” says Hydro One’s Valerie Lane.
No one on Sunday was getting paid and all of the materials have been donated. Contractors say they are glad for the support too. In some cases they are putting temporary roofs so the hardest hit homes can be properly covered.
“We have a list and we put up temporary support walls and then they come in and do their part of the tarping. Anything they can do for us is a huge help,” says Martin Beyea from Beyea Roofing.
Police say inspectors and engineers have checked 80 of the 101 homes. At this point, OPP say 14 homes need to be demolished because they are so badly damaged. But for now the goal is to try and save whatever is left.
“We are also expecting some bad weather in the coming week and a lot of people have suffered a lot of damage we just want to ensure the rest of their belongings stay safe and dry and by putting up the tarps before the bad weather comes we’ll ensure that the people who’ve suffered don’t have to suffer any more,” says Hydro One President & CEO Carmine Marcello.
Even though lots of work has been done on Sunday, officials say people still need to get in touch with their insurance providers to find out if and when they will allowed back in their home.
