The Blue Mountains has been declared a disaster zone.
Council passed a motion Monday night to officially declare the town a disaster area after receiving confirmation that a tornado touched down last Thursday.
Mayor Ellen Anderson says they had to wait until Environment Canada confirmed Monday that indeed it was a tornado that caused millions of dollars in damage.
Anderson toured the area again Tuesday with Simcoe Grey MP Helena Guergis and MPP Jim Wilson.
The storm hit homes, farms, orchards and the Georgian Peaks ski club and she adds it was good to let both Guergis and Wilson see the damage first hand.
Anderson tells Bayshore Broadcasting News there is no set dollar figure yet — but she estimates the damage to be in the millions of dollars.
Anderson calls it a serious economic issue for the municipality — and she notes some farmers have lost their entire apple crop.
Anderson says it’s no different than if they had lost several downtown businesses or an industrial plant.
Ontario will now provide 2 dollars in funding for every dollar raised locally under the province’s Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
Anderson does say she is very impressed with the response from the community and neighbours who are helping neighbours.
Home Hardware in Thornbury is offering chainsaws for owners who need to clean up their property.
Rona and Home Depot have also offered supplies to help with the clean-up.
If people would like to register as volunteers to help with the clean up — they should contact the municipal office.
Property owners who sustained damage from last week’s storm are also asked to register with the municipality as well.
Grey Highlands Council will meet next week to discuss a similar motion to declare the town a disaster area to qualify for funding.