The Town of Amherstburg is offering a basement flooding protection program of its own.
On Monday, Amherstburg's council unanimously backed a similar program offering 100% coverage of up to $1,000 for backwater valve installations.
In a report to council, 163 mm (6.4 inches) of rainfall was recorded over 24 hours in McGregor in the late August storm that saw heavy flooding across Windsor, Tecumseh and Lakeshore. More than 30 homes reported flooding in Amherstburg.
Councillor Jason Lavigne says no part of the town is being left behind as council deals with flooding despite some concerns from rural residents.
"As a council, I feel that we're doing everything in our power to help those residents and we'll do everything in our power going forward to help those residents," says Lavigne. "It does not matter if they live on the edge of the town boundaries or right down in the town core — they're going to get a fair shake and they're going to get their fair share no matter what."
Windsor-Essex flooding — Aug. 29, 2017 (Submitted photo)
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo understands the subsidy program isn't the be all end all, but feels it's a start.
"We appreciate it may not fix the problem, but at this stage we have to start looking at mitigating anything we can to reduce it and then from there we can start addressing each individual property and what's wrong there," says DiCarlo.
However, the mayor says there is some wiggle room in the available funding.
"We understand that that's not always going to be an exact number — and we are open to working with residents if they have costs beyond that — but, for a starting point? I think that's a good starting point for the town."
The Amherstburg program will also offer free downspout disconnections, 50% coverage up to $1,000 for foundation drain disconnections and 100% coverage up to $300 for sump pump installations.
The program is available effective immediately.