October 15, 2004 Hurricane Hazel remembered

With the worst hurricane season this year since 1886 when 4 hurricanes hit Texas many remember Hurricane Juan that did 100 million dollars in damage in the Halifax area last year.  Ontario’s worst storm was Hurricane Hazel 50 years ago today.  In 1999 MacLean’s Magazine did a survey of the 25 most Influential Canadian Historical Events of the 20^th Century and Hurricane Hazel topped the list. 

Headline from the Nugget 50 years ago during Hurricane Hazel.

I was a student in Toronto and headed home on October 15^th 1954 after classes.  I recall one large mall parking lot completely covered by water and several underpasses so deep I thought I might not make it through to my wife and 2 week old first born. 

Hurricane Hazel began its erratic course off Granada in the Caribbean and caused as many as 500 deaths as it swept across Haiti, missed Florida, and went up the U.S. East Coast and into Canada.  Ontario was shocked because a storm this powerful simply wasn’t expected and Ontario was woefully unprepared for 100km winds and record-breaking rains, especially in the Humber River watershed.  Eighty-three people died and there was 110 million dollars in damages in 1954 funds.  One recent report stated that there were 20 bridges out on the Humber River at a cost of 185 million in today’s funds. 

In Woodbridge 56 trailers on low ground were wiped out leaving 250 people homeless and 20 dead.  On Raymore Avenue most houses on low ground were swept away and 36 died.  Five firemen on a rescue operation were drowned.  Further north the 6,000 acre Holland Marsh was covered with water after a dike broke on Lake Simcoe and hundreds of families were displaced. 

Around Toronto roads and railways were wiped out and planes were stranded.  Telephones and hydro were cut off.  The weather had an impact as far north as Earlton and Kirkland Lake.  The CNR had 50 washouts between Toronto and North Bay and several North Bay residents were delayed and eventually came home through Ottawa.  In North Bay the flagpole at Queen Victoria School blew over and some windows were blown out.  Lakeview Lumber had lumber strewn around and on the west end near St. Joseph’s College the roads were seriously flooded.  William Villeneuve lost his barn in Widdified Township.  There was the usual crime spree by some greedy vandals in Toronto. 

Commemorative Events 

There have been a number of commemorative events remembering Hurricane Hazel already, and more are planned.  A new 30 minute film on Hazel has been produced by the MNR, Environment Canada’s Hurricane Centre, Conservation Ontario and the Toronto Area Conservation Authority (TRCA) ($14.95).  Call 416-661-6600.  The film also has information on flood control, emergency preparedness, climate change, etc. – an excellent educational fool. 

On October 16 there will be an unveiling of a Commemorative Plaque at King’s Mill Park in Toronto sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Foundation.  There will be a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the storm.  There will be a 2-hour walk reviewing the devastating aspects of the hurricane.  There will also be a triathalon along the Humber River the same day.  The hurricane will be recognized at the Kortright Centre October 9-11, 16, 17, including the documentary above.  For further information on the events above contact www.trca.ca/events. 

Cover from Betty Kennedy’s book on Hurricane Hazel.

Books on Hazel 

Betty Kennedy’s 1979 book Hurricane Hazel was the main reference at libraries until recently.  It has some excellent photos even though someone had cut several out of my copy.  A new book Rain Tonight: A Story of Hurricane Hazel by Steve Pitt for children 8-11 is well written and beautifully illustrated.  Gulliver’s has copies coming and it will be available in other bookstores and libraries. 

The Toronto Star had a feature on Hurricane Hazel on October 2 and has a website with information at www.thestar.ca/hazel.  The CBC has some interesting material under www.archives.cbc.ca. No hurricane for 50 years was another reason for giving thanks on Thanksgiving.