When a collection of devastating tornadoes struck Barrie and close by communities again in July, the Ford authorities promised residents would have their full help when it got here time to rebuild. However no less than one household is discovering that assist doesn’t prolong to their neighborhood.
On July 15, a collection of EF-2 power twisters reduce a swath of destruction by means of Barrie, Innisfil, Kawartha Lakes, Little Britain, Manilla, Lindsay and Lake of Bays. Barrie was the toughest hit with between 100 and 150 constructions broken and roughly 60 thought-about uninhabitable on the time. Whereas touring the devastation, Doug Ford promised, “If insurance coverage doesn’t cowl [costs], we’re going to be right here to step up. We’re going to be right here for them.”
Steven Stacey lives in Little Britain, about an hour’s drive from Barrie. His household farm was one of many ones hit by the twisters. He says he vividly remembers that day as he rushed dwelling as soon as he acquired to the decision.
“I’m considering like, the place’s my children, what’s occurring, I used to be shedding my thoughts,” Stacey tells CityNews.
When he arrived, he discovered his dwelling in ruins, and his spouse trapped beneath the particles.
“The chimney and the roof got here by means of the opposite roof and as she was happening the steps, the entry panel into the attic landed on prime of her,” he remembers.
Steven’s spouse, Carey, is now recovering in hospital. She was left with a damaged wrist, a damaged again and a shattered ankle. Their 11-year-old son Owen escaped any critical harm.
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Now because the Stacey household works to heal and rebuild, a brand new drawback. Within the aftermath of the catastrophe they felt relieved to listen to the premiere speaking about provincial applications to assist plug gaps in home-owner’s insurance coverage. However he’s discovering this system, enacted for affected householders in Barrie, wasn’t enacted for Kawartha Lakes and {qualifications} round how a lot of the worth of the house is insured, means it’s unlikely he’ll qualify for a similar assist as residents in Barrie, leaving him with as much as $300,000 he says must return onto his mortgage.
“It shouldn’t be that approach. I’m an Ontario citizen identical to they’re. I pay taxes, identical to they do,” says Stacey, who has referred to as on the Kawartha Lakes mayor and the premiere to take motion.
“I’ve by no means requested for a handout in my life, by no means, nor do I wish to – however proper now with the scenario I’m in, I’d take some, sure I’d.”
The Insurance coverage Bureau of Canada says the tornadoes left 71 houses uninhabitable and resulted in additional than 2,200 insurance coverage claims for injury to private and business property totalling $75 million.
