Volunteers haul flood-soaked belongings of 93-year-old from St. Catharines home

A 93-year-old resident of St. Catharines saw her flood-damaged possessions piled on a curb after two back-to-back storms, while volunteers from Team Rubicon Canada began cleanup under a city-wide state of emergency.

Back-to-back storms on July 27 and August 2 flooded thousands of homes in St. Catharines, Ontario, forcing sewage-tainted water into the basement of 93-year-old Mary Winning. After the water receded, her possessions—furniture, boxes and personal items—were piled on a curb, prompting an emotional response from her daughter Gail Winning and sister Carol Macdonald. The city remains under a state of emergency, as does nearby Lincoln, and has mobilized Team Rubicon Canada volunteers to aid those on a vulnerable persons registry.

CEO Mischa Kaplan explained that volunteers are undertaking grueling, up-to-10-hour days, sometimes wearing protective gear for asbestos risks, to clear out contaminated belongings and prepare homes for repair. Volunteers, many of whom are veterans or first responders, are staying on cots in the gym of St. Catharines Collegiate secondary school while they work. Mayor Mat Siscoe said municipal resources are exhausted and external help is essential for recovery. The effort aims to restore homes so residents like Mary Winning can begin rebuilding their lives.