TORONTO - The Ontario Heritage Foundation and The Humber Heritage Committee today unveiled a provincial plaque to mark the 50^th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel.

"Hurricane Hazel was obviously a terrible tragedy," said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Foundation. "Fifty years later, we solemnly honour the memory of those who lost their lives. But we also use this moment to reflect on what we have learned since we emerged from the floods."

There was little warning about Hurricane Hazel - one of the worst storms in Canada's history. At the time, few Canadians paid attention to tropical storms. But when Hurricane Hazel struck southern Ontario at rush hour on October 15, 1954, that complacency changed forever.

"The unveiling of this plaque reminds us that our heritage consists of much more than physical structures," said Culture Minister Madeleine Meilleur. "Ontario's heritage also consists of people and events that have helped shape our identity. By telling Ontario's stories, we grow as a people and learn from our shared past."

Buffeted by winds of up to 110 km/h, over 200 mm of rain fell within 24 hours, causing rivers to overflow and flood communities across southern Ontario. The storm killed 81 people and left thousands homeless. Property damage - with homes and bridges washed out - was estimated at over $180 million. But the legacy of this catastrophe was the development of a sophisticated province-wide weather warning system, measures to conserve watersheds of major rivers and a flood warning and control system.

"Hurricane Hazel devastated Toronto, and left our city reeling," said Mayor David Miller. "Torontonians were awed by her force, but they also came together and pulled through the tragedy, showing tremendous generosity and kindness to their neighbours. Events like this always remind us of the amazing sense of community and resilience we possess as a city."

"The extent of the flood waters and the 81 people who perished personally touched the lives of almost everyone in the Toronto area," said Madeleine McDowell, Chair of the Humber Heritage Committee, "but most particularly in its largest watershed, the Humber, where the greatest loss was felt."

Many lessons were learned from Hurricane Hazel. The Province of Ontario established a flood forecasting and warning system, managed by representatives from all three levels of government. Flood control facilities were studied, upgraded or constructed. Dams, three lakes and several reservoirs were also built to control water levels and monitor the flow of rivers and streams. As a result of Hurricane Hazel, homes on low-lying lands were cleared and greenbelts were established in watershed areas, which became part of a broad system of Toronto and area parks. Conservation authorities throughout southern Ontario were either formed or given greater support to manage these parks in areas prone to flooding.

"Certainly the forces of nature continue to display their awesome powers," added Alexander, "but Hurricane Hazel forever changed the way we prepare ourselves for such events."

This unveiling is part of the Foundation's Provincial Plaque Program that commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. Since 1953, more than 1,160 of these distinctive blue and gold plaques have been unveiled.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

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Contact:

Gordon Pim
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Foundation
Telephone: 416-325-1484
E-mail: gordon.pim@heritagefdn.on.ca