Wheatley evacuation scaled back

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY — The state-of-emergency declared by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff on Tuesday, July 20 was rescinded on Thursday, July 22 after gas levels diminished in the downtown area.

The sour gas problem has hindered downtown Wheatley since the June 2 leak that started the original evacuation.

After 17 days, the order was lifted and people went back into their homes and businesses. About 27 residents were displaced in the June leak.

Last week’s leak began when a hydrogen sulphide monitor at 15 Erie Street North alerted officials to high levels of gas downtown.

This time, more businesses and residents were affected with the south side of Talbot Street East also being affected.

The latest leak not only closed some of Wheatley’s restaurants, but also closed the post office, which left residents wondering about their mail.

The staff at Wheatley Post Office went above and beyond to make sure the mail delivery resumed as best it could, with many of them working after hours to facilitate that. They should be commended for their extra work in helping people get their parcels.

On Thursday, the state-of emergency was narrowed down to just 15 Erie Street North – the site of the former Pogue Irish Pub. All other residents and businesses were allowed to return and reopen.

Street barricades came down late Thursday afternoon.

Officials are recommending that each family affected should prepare a ‘grab and go’ bag in the event that gas levels suddenly rise again.

As for a permanent or future solution, officials met with provincial representatives on Thursday to update them on the developments in downtown Wheatley and intend to transfer the matter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.