TRURO - Although hundreds of homes and businesses had to be evacuated due to flash flooding in the Truro area on Monday, most of the affected people managed to find places elsewhere in the community to stay overnight, such as with relatives, friends or at area hotels and motels.
The Canadian Red Cross says one of two emergency shelters set up to assist people was able to close at 9 p.m. as none of those evacuated in the Bible Hill area needed to stay overnight.
Another shelter in a church hall on Prince Street in Truro had only seven evacuees spend the night, though dozens more dropped in to receive information updates or to have a safe place to stay until they worked out other arrangements.
The Canadian Red Cross is offering additional help after the flood, providing residential cleanup kits at no charge. Each kit includes items such as a pail, mop, sponges, latex gloves, and cleaning and disinfecting products for dealing with minor flood impacts that homeowners or renters can safely clean up themselves. The kits are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Canadian Red Cross office at 139 Truro Heights Rd.
For additional information about who is eligible, call (902) 895-3894.
Also provided is cleanup advice including what measures individuals can reasonably carry out themselves.
For more extensive damage such as contaminated water or water-saturated plaster, drywall, insulation, flooring, appliances or electrical or heating systems, the Red Cross urges homeowners or landlords to consult qualified professionals such as flood restoration companies, electricians or heating system technicians.
If not addressed promptly and correctly, flood damage can lead to mould and other serious health concerns, pose significant risks including electrical shock, fire or structural collapse and result in substantially increased costs. A flood cleanup brochure can be viewed online, printed or downloaded at redcross.ca/cmslib/general/dm_cr_flood_recovery.pdf .
