The mayor of Warwick Township says staff will review how to spend $97,725 of disaster relief funding from the province after a storm in August 2023 caused widespread damage.
Significant rainfall last year prompted a state of emergency.
Mayor Todd Case said there's no shortage of areas where the funding could be used.
"We're already out of pocket those dollars, obviously taking care of things from the 2023 weather event so we look forward to a report probably from staff in the very near future," he said. "At the end of the day, we're very grateful that in going through this very long process that we were successful in getting almost $100,000 to help the municipality offset these costs."
The aid funding was less than the roughly $120,000 the municipality applied for.
"We're a little bit puzzled on the outstanding amount but I'm sure that somebody's going to get back to us in a short period of time to let us know why the amount was a little different, but at the end of the day, we're still very grateful for the funding from the province," Case said.
At the time, the 2023 weather event was noted as a "one in 100-year storm." However, less than one year later, torrential downpours caused significant flooding in the area again in July 2024.
Case said the municipality is currently in the process of applying for financial aid for this year's storm.
"We're hoping it'll be a much quicker process this time. After all, it was a new process for us, something we've never been through before so staff worked very hard to try to work with municipal affairs people to obviously find a path forward to get this funding," Case said. "So now that we've been through it once, I'm sure it'll be a much easier process for us."
It's also hoped this will be the last time the municipality will have to apply for storm relief funding for a while.
"We're not looking forward to going through this again for a third straight year next year," said Case. "We're hoping that maybe Mother Nature will leave us alone in the next 100 years or so."
Case noted the support received by Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey who stepped in after the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding was left without an MPP for several months. Case also thanked recently elected MPP Steve Pinsonneault and his office for their assistance.
“Our government is proud to support our municipal partners to help them rebuild after unexpected natural disasters,” said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra in a statement. “This funding will help Warwick recover the costs of necessary repairs to local infrastructure damaged because of the flooding.”
The provincial funding will be provided through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance program.