Sydney family heartbroken to see flood-damaged home torn down

The first of 17 homes in Sydney slated for demolition after a powerful storm struck the region last month was torn down Monday.

"It's pretty sad. We've lived here since 1979. It's my parent's home, it's heartbreaking," said Suzanne Donovan. The family homestead on St. Peter's Road in Cape Breton was built in 1924.

Donovan said her parents' insurance company is taking care of the demolition expenses and will pay for the construction of a new home.

But the rebuild will have to be in another neighbourhood. Cape Breton Regional Municipality intends to declare the area a no-build zone.

'Hard thing to deal with'

Despite the monetary assurances, it's still a difficult situation to lose the family home, Donovan said.

"It's just a hard thing to deal with."

Other neighbours are still waiting for word from their insurance companies and the province's Emergency Measures Organization.

Work takes time

EMO has been conducting soil tests for oil and other contamination on the properties.

On Monday, a release from the organization said it has added more people to assess contamination levels and speed up the process.

"This unfortunately takes time and work is still underway on assessments," the release said.

Neil Harker of 45 St. Peter's Rd. is still in his home, which has no primary heat source because floodwaters ruined his furnace.

The municipality came and inspected his home and deemed that it would have to be replaced, he said.

'Province has to act faster'

However, he said he's still waiting and feels anxious about the onset of cold winter weather and flu season.

"The province has to act faster and take that into consideration."

EMO said it has a dedicated person assigned to the homeowners who have been displaced from their homes.

"EMO staff have been in contact with the homeowners as the process continues. In fact, EMO staff have met with homeowners multiple times," the statement said.

The organization added that if homeowners have questions about their claim they can talk to the official on the ground or call 1-866-424-5620.