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 Community
comes together in floodAs Peterborough residents tried to cope with one of the worst floods in its history Thursday, the people of the city can be proud of their response to each other in a time of need, says Pat Knapp, director of social services for the city. Pat says Peterborough residents and business owners "just shone." "They continue to come together, whether as individuals or as agencies, ready to help each other out at this time," she tells peacefulcommunities.ca Pat describes a "tremendous turnout" of volunteers, as scores of people showed up, ready to respond with their time or their supplies. More than 190 millimetres of rain fell on the city, which backed up storm sewers and flooded Jackson Creek. It was the downtown and the south end of the city that were hardest hit by the flooding. Pat says some of the immediate needs were to get beds right away for more than 400 people in the city and county who didn’t have a place to sleep because of the flooding. "Red Cross volunteers turned out in great numbers," helping to find interim lodging, says Pat. As well, 200 residents of Extendicare, a long-term care facility in the city, had to be evacuated. Many residents went to an evacuation centre while interim lodging was found for others at alternative sites. Pat says the Salvation Army was also "tremendous," as their volunteers quickly mobilized to help feed people who otherwise would have gone without because of the flooded conditions. "They activated their mobile food units," for use if necessary, says Pat, and she adds that local restaurants also donated food. The director of social services, speaking from the Emergency Operations Centre for the city, located at the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service headquarters, says the national Red Cross was also instrumental in their response to the state of emergency. "They offered assistance in many ways, including donating extra blankets, which we took them up on," she notes. Officials kept the flooded city in a state of emergency Friday, with a great deal of clean-up expected on many fronts.
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