Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Mauro met with volunteers, emergency responders, community partners and Chatham-Kent and Lower Thames Conservation officials on Monday in the wake of the Thames River flooding.
Municipal official say Mauro toured flood-struck areas in Thamesville and Chatham and thanked those who spent the past several days monitoring conditions, going door to door contacting and evacuating residents where necessary, coordinating utility services, operating shelters and volunteering with goods and services.
The minister said an assessment will be undertaken in a matter of days which will help provide access to homeowners through provincial disaster programs.
Mayor Randy Hope presented the minister with a framed photo taken by news photographer Louis Pin of Postmedia of firefighters rescuing individuals from their flooded home.
Both Mayor Hope and Minister Mauro lauded the coordination and cooperation shown by emergency officials in ensuring the public’s safety.
