Just over 70 years ago, in October 1954, Hurricane Hazel cut a path of destruction through the Caribbean, the eastern United States, and Canada. In Southern Ontario, the storm dumped 11 inches of rain on Toronto and nearby communities in 48 hours, killing 81 people, washing out bridges and roads, and displacing more than 1,800 families.
Out of the disaster was born the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). The organization’s mission includes regulating development to ensure responsible management of water, land, and natural habitats, and protection from extreme weather events, especially flooding. Its jurisdiction encompasses nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines and spans multiple municipalities representing almost 5 million people. “It is what government would look like if it were defined by water,” explains Steve Heuchert, a planner and an associate director at TRCA.
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