Ontario Construction News staff writer
TIL-KA Construction Inc. DKI, a Thunder Bay-based company specializing in disaster recovery and structural repair, has joined recovery efforts following a severe ice storm that devastated parts of southern Ontario on March 30 and 31.
The team, which specializes in emergency mitigation and structural repair, left Thunder Bay in the early hours of April 2, braving harsh weather conditions to reach Orillia, one of the hardest-hit communities. On the ground, they are providing damage assessments, clearing hazardous debris, and assisting homeowners whose properties have been impacted by structural damage and flooding.
“Our job is to bring relief and resilience to communities in crisis,” a spokesperson for TIL-KA DKI told reporters. “From the moment we got the call, we were packed and on the road.”
The storm brought freezing rain, snow squalls and winds up to 70 km/h, with widespread damage across the region. According to Environment Canada, some areas received more than 25 mm of ice accumulation, resulting in downed trees and power lines, impacting more than 275,000 customers.
The storm severely disrupted infrastructure, causing road closures, damaged water mains, and downed telecommunications networks and many municipalities, including Orillia, declared states of emergency.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited Orillia last week.
“I saw firsthand how everyone is coming together, working around the clock to help those still in need,” Ford said. “Ontario Corps is providing whatever personnel and equipment is needed to help local efforts.”
Recovery is expected to take weeks, with power restoration in rural areas not expected until mid-April. Emergency services are also focused on restoring potable water and telecommunications.