'It's just a disaster': Lengthy flood cleanup expected in Chatsworth

A pickup truck makes its way down a flooded roadway in Chatsworth on Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Nadia Matos / CTV Kitchener)

As the Saugeen River recedes, Chatsworth residents are getting a better idea of just how much damage was caused by recent flooding.

They’re also learning how much of it they’ll have to pay for themselves.

Ed Vickers said Tuesday that he believed insurance covered damage to his basement, but not the rest of his residence.

“It’s going to take a while to see who gets what,” he said.

Last week, the area was hit by up to 75 mm of rainfall. The township declared a state of emergency.

Hardest hit was the Williamsford area along Highway 6 south of Owen Sound.

A number of businesses, homes and cottages in that part of the township were flooded, and utilities were cut off.

“Everything in everybody’s basement has to be replaced – furnaces and pumps and everything,” said Williamsford resident Al Homier.

“It’s just a disaster. Everybody’s flooded out here.”

Provincial officials visited the area Tuesday, inspecting the damage to determine whether it qualifies for relief funding.

At the peak of the flooding, the Saugeen River was at its highest level in 28 years.

Williamsford residents say they don’t believe they’ve had a flood of such magnitude since Hurricane Hazel hit in 1954.

With files from CTV Barrie