HomeMy WebLinkAbout364"Article copied from the Original Bay News, October 11, 1995, page 12.
Our History
by Michelle Fuselli
Strange things happen all the time and on October 14, 1954, Hurricane Hazel, a foreign event for
this area, tore through Ajax-Pickering and left destruction in its wake. But local residents at the
time believed that they got off lightly from the storm.
According to reports from the Pickering News, high-powered winds were responsible for fallen
trees and downed phone and power lines. Firefighters, police and residents also worked together
to rescue several families on the west side of the Rouge River from being swept sway.
As well, tow trucks were kept busy saving stranded motorists from some of the roadways that
were flooded. In Whitevale, the mill dam and bridge on Conc. 5 went out: traffic from Hwy. 2 was
re-routed to Hwy. 401 when Duffins Creek overflowed.
Roads were not the only problem though. High winds and rain also caused one C.N. train to
derail. When local resident David Callaghan Sr.’s train did just that near Markham, he managed
to escape by climbing through a coach window to safety.
The Town of Pickering was fortunate in that no one perished in the storm, but some came
dangerously close to it when the Rouge Valley was flooded. Homeowners were being evacuated
in two small boats with four or five passengers in each when one overturned, throwing everyone
into the swirling waters. Luckily. Vernon Disney speeded to the scene in his motor boat and
rescued everyone from the water.
Many rescuers went unnamed for their assistance during the hurricane, but the fire chief of
Dunbarton expressed his thanks to Disney and Fred Stork, another boat rescuer, for their help in
the valley.
Along with property damage, businesses and farmers also lost much during Hazel's fury;
Ajax Lumber was reported to have lost several thousand dollars worth of lumber from their plant.
A relief fund was set up for Ontario residents and contributions were requested. A staggering
figure at the time, the damage exceeded $25 million according to The Metropolitan Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority.
Since then, the MTRCA has been able to drastically reduce the potential for loss of life and
property damage through a watershed management program. A watershed is used for any and
all land that drains into a river and ultimately into Lake Ontario. The Rouge River, Petticoat
Creek and Duffins Creek are just some of those included in the program.
To the Original Bay News:
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