As the dust settles on council's decision to close a section of Erie Shore Drive indefinitely, residents are deciding what to do next and where to go.
On Monday night, councillors unanimously voted in favour of closing the road effective March 9 to allow construction crews time to repair the dike, which currently has a five to 40 per cent chance of catastrophic failure.
On Tuesday, emotions were still high as dozens of residents packed into the Erieau Fire Hall to try and get more clarity on the situation. During the closure, which was given no definite end date, residents will be unable to access their homes and emergency vehicles will not be permitted on the roadway. The road will be closed from 18416 Erie Shore Dr. to the intersection of Erie Shore Drive and Erieau Road.
A total of 123 homes are located along Erie Shore Drive dike and approximately 43 are home to permanent residents, including Sue OBrien. OBrien said it's been hard to stay focused and think straight since getting the news that she would have to abandon the home she's lived in for nearly three decades on such short notice.
"It's so overwhelming because I've lived there for over 20 years, 27 years," she said. "My kids grew up there. We've got swimming trophies and things like that and nine days to pack and find a house to live in."
OBrien added that she's been dealing with denial and has been having a difficult time starting to pack. When questioned what the overall mood of the neighbourhood is, she didn't hesitate to say most residents are angry -- angry at the situation and angry at how the municipality handled it.
"[The municipality] evicted us and hung us out to dry," she said. "We can't get to our properties to maintain shoreline. If we don't maintain shoreline the waves will eventually ruin our homes... This could happen to [other residents]. If the municipality comes in and decides that you need to get out because its a state of emergency, you lose [your property.] That was my lifetime investment that home."
Despite the anger, Polly Smith, director of employment and social services, assured residents on Tuesday that the municipality is doing all they can to assist them during this period. She said the social services team is there to help residents with located vital services, planning their next steps, decision making both in the short term and beyond.
"We're also going to be there for community members in the long term that are affected by this for the long haul," Smith explained. "We'll be looking at longer-term accommodations that are suitable and affordable for people."
According to Smith, there are currently several housing options available to residents of Erie Shore Drive including hotels offering temporary spaces, in addition to rooms, homes and cottages being offered. She said what residents are choosing to do depends on their unique set of circumstances.
"Really its a combination of situations," she said. "I think when something like this happens in general, I speak for myself, when there are things that happen unexpectedly that are out of your control, it's very hard to make decisions. It's a process."
OBrien said she is one of the residents who was offered a cottage to stay at by an Erieau resident, where she will live out of until June.
"That will give us a bit of time. We're putting all our furnishing in storage, so that will give us a bit of time to figure it out," said OBrien.
Volunteers unload boxes for residents impacted by the Erie Shore Drive road closure on March 3, 2020 (Photo by Allanah Wills)
Although she has a place to stay for the next few months, the financial burden is still weighing heavily on OBrien's shoulders. She is one of the many residents who have expressed concern over what leaving their home behind will mean for their mortgage and their pocketbook.
"If we don't get back, which we have heard that we won't, it will bankrupt my husband and I," she exclaimed. "We will have to pay a mortgage. Plus we've been looking at apartments. Apartments are $1,100, homes are $1,800 plus. That on top of a mortgage, we wouldn't be able to sustain it."
According to Smith, the municipality is providing residents with portable storage containers and looking at paying for emergency accommodations. After that, she said it financial situations will be handled on a case to case basis.
"That will give us time for people who are in financial need to do income testing," said Smith. "At that point, people who are on a very low income, we will be able to assist in other ways long term."
Besides getting assistance from the municipality, Smith said people and businesses from across Chatham-Kent have reached out to help residents of Erie Shore Drive as they try and transition to the next steps.
"You'd be surprised with what people are willing to help with," said Smith. "Moving, packing, all of those things... Moving and packing are the most urgent but there's pet sitting, a number of people have offered up temporary housing solutions, cottages, second homes, rooms or apartments that they have. They're being very generous and kind so we're really trying to make those connections happen."
For anyone looking to volunteer or offer assistance, Smith said the best way is to call the municipality directly at 519-360-1998. Likewise, Smith added calling the municipality directly is also the best way for any impacted Erie Shore Drive residents to get connected to volunteer services.