There is a black and white photograph I have seen numerous times in local history books and Newspapers. It shows a 1940s or ‘50s style car, up to its doors in water on Elora Street in Harriston, in front of the block that now contains the Old Post and Davey’s Antiques.
It’s the only local scene I can recall ever seeing from Hurricane Hazel, which brought what is considered the 100-year flood to my hometown in 1954. It’s a locally-iconic image that, to me, represents flooding. It’s always been what I think of when waters start to rise. No more.
Now I’ll think of a group of friends and neighbours standing or crouching in water beside the rushing Maitland River in Harriston working against the rising waters to pump out a local business, or residents working around the town to help each other with cleanup the next day.
Or I’ll think of my colleague Caroline Sealey’s photograph of a canoeist serenely, and surreally, paddling by the Community News office along a main thoroughfare in Drayton.
Watercraft in the streets is never a good sign.
According to the mayors of both communities, water levels in Minto and Mapleton reached historic highs last week. There is a new mark, 37 inches high, on the wall at the old Drayton arena, now known as the local agricultural hall, where records of such magnitude are recorded. Minto Mayor George Bridge told reporters water in Harriston had not reached last Friday’s levels since the town was flooded by Hurricane Hazel in 1954.
Both mayors, and many townspeople, also tell stories of how the community came together to protect people and property and minimize damage as best they could; many stories which will be told over time as citizens recall one of the most turbulent weekends in local history.
While there is much damage to property, there was thankfully no loss of life and no reports of serious injuries.
For as long as I can remember, I have seen that photograph from 1954 and for many years I have listened as local councils and conservation authorities discussed the theoretical 100-year flood. While it seemed unlikely to occur, I was always filled with a nagging dread of what might happen if it came.
Well, it came and our communities met it head on and were not found wanting.
It’s my job to find the words, but sometimes I can’t, so I’ll borrow some from Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow, who posted after the waters had receded, “The unity shown during the flooding was impressive and humbling.”
That about says it. Bravo!
