FLOOD PICTURES: CLICK HERE
On March 31st, 2003 much of the town of Kentville was flooded. West Main Street took it the hardest as many had to be taken out on a boat from their houses. One such example was the Laing family. Peter Laing and his two-year-old daughter, which was coloring at the time, were whisked out of their home on a boat. At that time the Laing�s kitchen floor was an inch from being covered, as the entire basement was already completely full.
As the next few days passed we watched as extreme weather conditions tore a destructive path across the province, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. We saw flooding destroy and damage the provincial roads and bridges in every part of this province. We saw tragedy, pain and hardship.
It is estimated that the flooding closed or damaged 200 roads and 47 bridges across Nova Scotia. The cost to our provincial roads and bridges is estimated at $12 million. Not to mention the countless more dollars that will be spent on losses to personal property as Nova Scotians deal with their flood-damaged homes and add up the ever-mounting costs. This does not even include the oil spill costs, and damage it has done to houses, ground and families.
As we go on you will be following the story of the Laing family to give everyone an idea of the personal side of this.
After the Laing family left their house they went to live with Mr. Laing�s parents. They lived there for two weeks while coming out of shock of what had happened.
Mrs. Laing appeared on many news channels trying to get the word out that this wasn�t over! The water may be gone but destruction and pain still remained. Laing said that going back into her house for the first time �Was one of the hardest things to do� because everything was ruined. The oil had ruined all her children�s stuffed animals, beds, blankets, and toys. Her children are 2 and 5 and devastated about this. What is a child with no toys to play with?
Mr. And Mrs. Laing both were broken hearted over memory keep sakes of their children, marriage photos, decorations, everything they owned�I just can�t even explain the pain we all feel, being a part of her family. Try to imagine everything in your house still being there but not being able to touch it or ever being able to have it again. Mrs. Laing says �Sometimes, I think it�s worse than a fire because we have no insurance to cover floods, cannot have any of our belongings back and will never be able to allow our children to grow up here.�
But as the Minister of Transportation and Works stated with all the hardship �There has been an incredible week of giving and sacrifice. Nova Scotians have responded to this disaster with compassion, determination and kindness. Some provided assistance as needed, including warm blankets for an injured Transportation and Public Works' backhoe operator. The collective efforts of paid and volunteer organizations allowed us to overcome the obstacles and respond in a way that minimized the destruction as much as was humanly possible. They bring into focus the caring nature of our province and the values that make us strong.�
It is obvious of these peoples generosity, for example Ken Saxton, who went out of his way, because there was no way for these 35 people to get to and from school or to and from work. He went down there and out of his heart; he built a bridge so that people could cross before vehicles were permitted. Also NSPI waved the phone disconnection and reconnection fee for all victims. The true spirit of Nova Scotia has never been so vibrant.
At this time (June 1) the Laing family is living in the MacDonald museum in Centerville. The children do not like it there, they find it very scary and the Laing�s have to pay a two mortgages. One for the museum and one for there condemned house. The cap for relief funds is 50 thousand. Right now Laing�s estimates just to get the house habitable again is at 80 thousand. Not including personal belongings like furniture, fixtures and clothes. We will just have to see what the future brings, and lets hope it�s happier than this. -Update on the Laings, they are now back in their newly refurnished home on West Main, it is beautiful.