Thunder Bay Flood Victims Find Homes at Lakehead University
To help the City of Thunder Bay's efforts during its state of emergency, Lakehead University " together with the Red Cross, the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Police Service and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Service " is opening its residences to those in the community whose homes were flooded, or damaged during the recent heavy rains.
Statement made by Dr. Brian Stevenson at the Thunder Bay Fire Hall Station at today's 10 am media conference:
Lakehead President Dr. Brian Stevenson
announces residence housing for flood victims
at Thunder Bay news conference today
"Our first step is to open as many beds as possible to help people affected by this flood," announced Lakehead University President, Dr. Brian Stevenson, at a news conference from the Cumberland Street Fire Station, this morning. "Having recently toured some of the areas hit hardest by the floods, I'd just like to say that no photographs or video could properly illustrate what so many people have lost. It's heartbreaking."
Lakehead University is already providing residence housing for a few dozen flood victims, in addition to over 300 individuals working for restoration companies who are cleaning and restoring water-damaged homes and basements.
Lakehead Director of Residence &
Conference Services David Hare,
outlines residence arrangements
and coordination efforts
Lakehead University's Director of Residence and Conference Services, David Hare, who also spoke at the news conference, stated that "Everybody's kicking in to make sure this happens. "˜No' is not an answer we want to hear, so we're doing everything we can to coordinate and make as many of our residence units available as possible."
Lakehead University residence arrangements are being coordinated through the Red Cross. Anyone wishing to request lodging should call the Red Cross at (807) 473-3905 or (807) 473-3906.
Thunder Bay's Spring 2012 Flood
On May 30, 2012, Thunder Bay City Council declared a state of emergency in the wake of heavy rains that recently inundated several areas in and around the city, leaving more than 1,100 homes and basements flooded with water and/or raw sewage, washed out roads and highways, and an overwhelmed sewage treatment plant. Thunder Bay City Manager, Tim Commisso, recently said the city administration is focused on ensuring homeowners have a safe place to live.
To learn more about how Lakehead is assisting the City of Thunder Bay, read Lakehead University Offers Place to Stay.
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Media: To arrange an interview with Lakehead University
President, Dr. Brian Stevenson, or Lakehead University Director of Residence and
Conference Services, David Hare,
please contact Tracey Skehan at (807) 343-8372 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.
About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.