The city and relief agencies continue to increase recovery efforts after Monday’s flood.
As of Thursday morning, national donation campaigns by the Red Cross and Salvation Army had raised around $60,000.
“We’re looking forward to a lot more because there are many citizens hurting,” Salvation Army Major Merv Halvorsen said.
There are now two mobile food trucks cruising affected areas. Along with the full shelter at Neebing Arena, the Red Cross is going door-to-door to help. Rob Kilgour said unlike other disasters that have immediate needs, Thunder Bay’s needs are increasing gradually.
“This is more of a creeping response that as time goes on we see the need increase,” he said.
While the amount of people and homes are still unknown, officials say it is in the hundreds. A main issue now is helping people without insurance to get their homes cleaned up.
“This is not a question of restoring basements to what they were. This is essentially getting them to the point where they are clean and they are safe,” city manager Tim Commisso said.
The Construction Association of Thunder Bay has made a plea to its 214 business members to volunteer qualified contractors to help that effort.
“I’d also like to challenge any other large industries in town as well to come up to the plate,” manager Harold Lidstrom said.
The clean-up will be free to the homeowner. Anyone wishing help or get help from the initiative can call 983-5993. To donate to the Red Cross call 1-800-418-1111, 623-3073 or visit www.redcross.ca .
For the Salvation Army call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or visit www.salvationarmy.ca
