Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Peterborough Area

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Peterborough, Southern and Northern Peterborough County, Lakefield and other areas. Issued by Environment Canada at 12:56 p.m. on Monday.

Photo by Shelley Goldkind Fine.

Monday’s conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail, according to Environment Canada.

Storms are expected to begin Monday afternoon into Monday evening.

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City Of Peterborough Provides Update And Thank You After May Storm

The City of Peterborough has released an update after the May 21 storm that caused major power outages, and required extensive clean-up around the city.

File Photo.

A special curbside green waste collection to collect debris from the May 21 wind storm is now complete and all City parks and trails have reopened.

The special green waste collection took place over several weeks, with City Public Works crews completing two rounds of pick-ups of tree debris that was too large for the regular green waste collection. Now that the special collection is complete, residents should bundle or bag green waste within the regular guidelines to allow crews to handle the material:

• There is no limit on the quantity of green waste that can be placed at the curb through the City's regular green waste collection service

• Green waste must be in reusable containers that are labelled, bushel baskets or paper yard waste bags. Plastic bags are not permitted

• Each bag and container must weigh less than 22 kilograms (50 pounds) and be shorter than 1 metre (3 feet)

• All brush and branches must be tied in bundles up to one metre (three feet) in length and 30 centimetres (12 inches) in diameter, weighing no more than 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Larger size items cannot be loaded into the collection vehicle.

• Stumps, soil and stones are not accepted through the green waste collection.

Green waste that does not meet regular curbside collection guidelines may be taken to the Peterborough Landfill  at 1260 Bensfort Rd. The regular fee for green waste drop off at the landfill is $7 for 100 kilograms or less of material or for $95 per tonne.

All City parks have been reopened. Everyone visiting parks should remain cautious when near trees or in wooded areas for hanging limbs, or trees that may have sustained damage that is not visible. Despite parks and trails being open, there will be some ongoing tree work conducted in various parks and trails throughout the City.

“The recovery efforts following the May 21 wind storm have been remarkable,” said Mayor Diane Therrien. “We would like to thank City Public Works staff, Urban Forestry staff, and all who were involved for their efforts on tree removals, brush collection and storm damage clean up.”

Mayor Therrien also recognized the incredible support from the City of Kingston and the City of Hamilton, which sent crews to work on high-priority tree removals and hanging limbs that were impacting roads, sidewalks, and trails. Additional thanks go to private contractors who worked with the City to reopen parks as quickly and safely as possible including H&M Landscaping, CBL Tree Service, Elemental Tree Care, Ontario Line Clearing, Arborcor Tree Care, Tim McConnell Tree Services, Palmer Tree Service, Treescape Certified Arborists and Ethic Tree Creations.

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Temporary Green Waste Drop Off Site Meant To Mitigate Storm Debris Will Close This Weekend

The temporary green waste drop-off site at 425 Kennedy Rd. will be closing as of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

File Photo.

The site will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until end of day Sunday for residents to drop off debris from trees and brush resulting from the storm on May 21.

Green waste resulting from the storm can be dropped off at the Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd.  free of charge until June 30, at which time normal green waste tipping rates will apply. Regular curbside collection of yard waste continues, with no limits on quantity but size and weight guidelines in place.

A special curbside collection for storm-related green waste, including trees and tree limbs that are beyond the sizes and weights accepted through regular collection, is planned later this season. It is expected to take several weeks before the City can divert resources to cleaning up piles of green waste debris from private property that is placed on City boulevards.

The temporary disposal site on Kennedy Road has been operating seven days a week since May 28 as part of storm recovery efforts.

For more information about green waste collection and disposal, please visit peterborough.ca/GreenWaste or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1657.

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Teams Of Veterans, First Responders And Civilians Arrive In Peterborough With Team Rubicon To Help With Storm Clean Up

The City of Peterborough welcomes Team Rubicon Canada to Peterborough to assist eligible property owners with tree and green waste clean-up as part of storm recovery efforts following the May 21, windstorm.

Team Rubicon Canada at its first Disaster Training Camp in Prince George BC, May 9, 2022. Photo courtesy of Team Rubicon Canada.

Team Rubicon Canada is a registered charity and volunteer-based disaster response organization that sends skilled disaster response teams into areas requiring assistance. The teams are made up of Canadian Military veterans, first responders and passionate civilians who have the expertise and specialized equipment to quickly assess damage to properties and put together a safe work plan at no cost to homeowners.

Team Rubicon teams will be deployed in the City of Peterborough for the next few weeks to assist eligible residents with tree and green waste clean-up.

Services are being offered to City of Peterborough residents who own and occupy their property and currently receive the City of Peterborough Property Tax Assistance Program, according to the following qualification following qualifications:

• Low Income Senior aged 65 years or older receiving benefits under the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Guaranteed Annual Income System.

• Low Income Senior aged 55-64 with a combined taxable income of less than $30,000 per year.

• Low Income Person with a Disability receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Eligible residents who would like assistance from Team Rubicon can complete a request form online at https://arcg.is/iSqOX or dial 211 to request service by phone. 211 is a 24/7 helpline that assists residents access community, social and government services.

Team Rubicon will only assist with cleanup of tree debris and limbs that are on the ground.

They will saw fallen trees, branches and brush that are on the ground into sizes that comply with the City’s Green Waste Collection program wherever possible and move the debris to the curb for Green Waste Collection. Material that exceeds the size or weight for Green Waste Collection may be collected through a Special Green Waste Collection that will take place several weeks later, when the City has the resources available.

 “Even with the extraordinary support our community has provided one another, there are still residents who are struggling to deal with downed trees and property damage,” remarked Mayor Diane Therrien. “This dedicated group of trained volunteers will thankfully be able to assist our residents who might not be able to afford to hire help. The City is grateful for the support that Team Rubicon will offer residents, and grateful to 211 Ontario for their support.”

Each Team Rubicon team will make arrangements with the property owner to undertake any work on site before work begins. Team Rubicon operates independently from the Corporation of the City of Peterborough.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to be working with the City of Peterborough during this challenging time for the community,” said Dave McAllister, Director of Programs and Operations for Team Rubicon Canada. “Our teams are on the ground and ready to put their disaster response skills to work to support the residents of Peterborough and help accelerate their recovery in the wake of this disaster.”

 

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City Returns To Regular Operations After Storm And Offers Residents Options For Green Waste Disposal

With power restored throughout the City of Peterborough following the severe storm on May 21, City facilities have returned to regular operations, with the exception of parks and trails where recovery efforts continue.

Due to the return to regular operations and the broad restoration of power in the community, City facilities are no longer offering general public access to showers that was provided to assist residents without power following the storm.

City parks and trails were closed due to safety concerns with trees and tree limbs continuing to fall following the storm. Crews are assessing damage and taking action to restore parks for public use. As parks and trails are re-opened, the list at peterborough.ca/stormresponse is updated and “closed” signs are removed from the properties.

The City urges residents to be cautious around trees that may still pose a danger from damaged limbs that could fall.

To assist with the ongoing storm recovery efforts, the City is offering several options for green waste drop-off locations at no charge and green waste curbside collection services.

Green waste drop-off locations

Peterborough Waste Management Facility/landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd.

Effective, May 31, until June 30,, the City is temporarily waiving disposal fees for green waste from the storm on May 21, 2022 that is dropped off at the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. 

The regular fee for green waste disposal at the landfill is $7 for 100 kilograms or less of material or for $95 per tonne.

Temporary green waste drop-off site on Kennedy Road

A temporary green waste drop-off location for trees and brush resulting from the storm is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at 425 Kennedy Rd. until further notice with no disposal fees for residents as part of the storm recovery efforts.

Residents can bring any trees, brush, leaves and sticks that were generated by the storm to the temporary drop-off area. Other green waste, such as grass clippings and garden waste, will not be accepted at the temporary drop-off site but can be put out through the regular curbside green waste collection program or taken to the landfill. 

Any other type of waste generated by the storm, including construction materials and food waste, are not accepted at the temporary drop-off site for green waste.

To access the temporary green waste drop-off site, residents are asked to enter from River Road South as Highway 115 is reduced to one lane in the area next to the location. 

Green waste curbside collection

Regular green waste curbside collection

The City’s regular curbside waste collection services includes green waste collection from April to November each year.

There is no limit on the quantity of green waste that can be placed at the curb through the City's regular green waste collection service; however, it must be put out within guidelines on sizes and weights to allow crews to handle the material. Due to the high amount of material, collection may be delayed.

Green Waste includes brush, branches, hedge and tree trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, house and garden plants, trimmings, and small quantities of sod (within weight limits).

All brush and branches must be tied in bundles up to one metre (three feet) in length and 30 centimetres (12 inches) in diameter, weighing no more than 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Larger size items cannot be loaded into the collection vehicle.

Stumps, soil and stones are not accepted through the green waste collection.

Residents who are able to cut down and bundle/bag their green waste are encouraged to use the regular green waste curbside collection service as an efficient way to get rid of debris from the storm.

The City will also be providing special green waste curbside collection that will collect storm-related green waste debris (e.g., tree limbs) from private property that has been put out to the City boulevard, beyond the sizes and weights accepted through the regular curbside collection program. Please note this is for storm-related green waste debris only, and piles of mixed debris (i.e., containing other storm-damage such as broken patio furniture, lost shingles) cannot be collected.

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Local Man Jumped Into Action To Feed Residents In Apartment Building Left Days Without Power

When last weeks storm left many without power, local man Matty Hiltz took it upon himself to grill up a meal for those without power at the Brooklawn apartments.

Photo courtesy of Lori Forsyth.

Hiltz, an in home care giver who previously worked for VON before starting his own business, had many clients that lived in the Brooklawn apartments.

“That was the main building I worked at for about three years, I got to know my clients and the others in the building very closely,” he said.

Hiltz says he still visits his clients in the building to visit and to offer haircuts to those that aren’t able to leave the building for appointments easily.

He says he visited the building on Thursday, five days after the storm, and it was still without power. Many residents have mobility issues or diabetes and they weren’t able to leave the building or eat properly.

“It really broke my heart so I leaped into action. I knew something had to be done.”

He spoke with his clients for the day and arranged to finished work early. They also offered to help Hiltz with his mission.

Hiltz bought burgers and hotdogs, brought his own barbeque to Brooklawn and invited residents to enjoy a warm meal.

Tina Clarke, who works for VON, was there to help too. She delivered meals to those on upper floors with mobility issues that were unable to make it downstairs to the barbeque.

“The smiles on their faces, were so touching,” he said. “They were so appreciative. One gentleman told me he hadn’t had a hot meal since Saturday which broke my heart.”

He noted that, as horrible as the storm was, it brought people together.

“There’s always good that comes out of something bad. I don’t think my smile could have gotten any bigger that day.”

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Peterborough And Surrounding Areas

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Peterborough, Southern and Northern Peterborough County, Lakefield and other areas. Issued by Environment Canada at 9:33 a.m. on Wednesday.

Lightning in Bobcaygeon. Photo by Jay Callaghan.

Environment Canada reports nickel sized hail, wind gusts up to 90 km/h. and heavy downpours are all possible beginning in the afternoon.

They suggest remaining indoors if threatening weather approaches. Heavy downpours are also likely to produce poor driving conditions.

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The City Of Peterborough Will Collect One Extra Bag Of Garbage Per Household To Support Storm Clean Up

The City of Peterborough will be collecting one extra bag of garbage per household this week, to support residents disposing spoiled food due to the extended power outage.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Specifications for garbage bags are:

• 1 plastic garbage bag no greater than 66 centimetres by 90 centimetres and a maximum of 23 kilograms (50 pounds) in weight;

• 1 garbage can no greater than 125 litres (30 gallons) with side handles and a lid and 23 kilograms (50 pounds) in weight; or

• 1 item less than 1 metre (3 feet) in length and 23 kilograms (50 pounds) in weight.

Peterborough residents may also take garbage directly to the landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. during operating hours of Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Standard tipping fees apply.

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Local Food Truck Owner Steps Up And Offers Meals To Anyone Without Power

Travis Berlenbach, owner of Trip Taco food truck in Peterborough put a pause on business as usual after a devastating storm hit the area on Saturday and offered residents soup and sandwiches while many were left without power.

Berlenbach was busy setting up his Taco truck at Fleming College for the Electric City football game when the storm hit.

“We just got set up and then the storm hit,” he said. “It was pretty crazy. We had to bring some people into the trailer because I saw things flying through the air and I knew it was a risk to try and make it to the building.”

After the storm, Berlenbach began to hear of the mass power outages in the city, though he still had power. He knew he needed to do something.

“I wanted to open on Sunday, but I wasn’t able to get into my shop because it’s at one of the only gas stations open in town,” he said.

He says he didn’t realize the extent of the damage and amount of people out of power and food until he went to visit his mom.

“Normally it annoys me when I see fast food joint packed, being a tiny local taco shop but I realized people weren’t there to get burgers and fries, they were there out of necessity,” said Berlenbach.

Berlenbach says because of working in restaurants his whole life, he is quite resourceful.

In a social media post on Monday, Berlenbach announced his plans to put together soup and sandwiches to distribute at his food truck, and that he wouldn’t be officially charging anything - though welcomed people to pay what they could.

“My job is to feed people and I just wanted to try and do that as best as I could I guess. I know what it’s like to have your back against the wall needing something. I have something right now, not much but I have it if people need it,” said Berlenbach.

Trip Taco is located at 1794 Chemong Rd. They offer catering for events of all sizes.

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NDP's Andrea Horwath Hits Peterborough Days After Massive Windstorm Strikes Town

New Democratic Party (NDP) provincial leader Andrea Horwath stopped in Peterborough to witness the damage from Saturday’s massive windstorm on Wednesday afternoon.

NDP Provincial Leader Andrea Horwath (left), Mayor Diane Therrien (middle) and Peterborough-Kawartha riding candidate Jen Deck at the Lions Club where several large trees were uprooted from Saturday’s windstorm. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Horwath came at Mayor Diane Therrien’s request shortly after the storm hit the area. It was the first day Horwath went back on tour from isolation since she tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday.

“It's shocking to see the impact of the storm,” said Horwath. “One minute, everything was a normal Saturday afternoon and then within a matter of minutes, complete havoc rained through the community and that's a scary thing. Seeing it physically makes me feel a lot of concern for people who actually went through it."

“There's a lot of devastation," said Therrien. “We still have a lot of residents without power and a lot of folks who are really struggling. We worry about seniors that are isolated and some of the folks in some of the high-rise buildings with accessibility issues are certainly a concern so the City's been doing everything they can.”

Therrien, Horwath and Peterborough-Kawartha riding candidate Jen Deck walked around the East City area and discussed issues that needed to be addressed as a result of the storm’s damage.

“I think these kinds of incidents reinforce the imperative that we have to deal with the climate emergency," said Horwath. “Our plan, the Green New Democratic Deal is one that is very proactive that will bring our greenhouse gas emissions down by 50 percent by 2030 and have a carbon-neutral economy by 2050."

Horwath was critical of the province’s disaster response system.

"The disaster response system in Ontario has never really functioned very well so people end up waiting sometimes years for any kind of financial assistance and that's not just good enough," explained Horwath. "We need to be getting financial assistance into people's pockets as quickly as possible, our plan calls for a 30-day maximum in terms of having to wait."

@ptbo_canada #PTBOCanada resident caught Saturdays #ONStorm from their apartment building. Transformers & Hydro lines down all over the city🤳: Nevil Patel #Derecho #Weather #Transformer ♬ Stan by Eminem - vanessa

Therrien called a state of emergency for Peterborough earlier that morning after submitting the declaration to the province yesterday.

"The state of emergency helps the municipality by giving us a little bit more flexibility to work around the normal government process,” said Therrien. “Government doesn't always work the fastest so being able to call in different partners rather than go through a procurement process, just to be able to say we need this kind of equipment, we need this kind of people and volunteers now. It just gives us the ability to be more nimble in our decision making."

Therrien could not offer a timeline of when the state of emergency will be lifted.

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