Wicks-Nicholls Family Devastated by Parkhill Flood

It was not a normal Saturday morning in the Wicks-Nicholls home on May 25, 2019, in Parkhill, ON, a small town 30 minutes outside of London.

Joy and Geoff Wicks-Nicholls awakened to the sound of gushing water that was clearly coming from outdoors. Water was flowing in through the basement window and pooling on the floor. After a torrential downpour overnight, the Wicks-Nicholls’ home became a destination for a wall of water, cascading through local farmers’ fields that had recently been fertilized with liquid manure.

Before their eyes, the Wicks-Nicholls family watched 5-6 feet of water fill their basement, completely destroying Joy’s parents’ apartment, Joy and Geoff’ eldest son’s bedroom, and the combined families’ contents. Electrical and HVAC equipment were under water, as were stored clothes, family heirlooms, and children’s toys.

The flood resulted in a total loss of the basement and its contents, and caused the Wicks-Nicholls, their three young children (Lute – 12, Kitch - 11, and Lily Catherine - 9), and Joy’s parents, Jane and Don Wicks, to have to relocate to a rented apartment for an undetermined time. As this was as a result of an “overland flood” their insurer will be covering only a portion of the loss, leaving the Wicks-Nicholls with well over $100,000 of uncovered expenses associated with relocation, content replacement, water remediation, and reconstruction costs. 

Your much-needed donation will assist the Wicks-Nicholls family with recovering from their devastating flood. Most of the funds raised would go towards paying for short-term expenses (accommodations and some everyday items) until everyone in the household is able to return home, construction, and replacement of essential items such as appliances and furniture. They are determined to have the whole family living at home once the house is habitable and repaired, however, significant uninsured financial costs remain a barrier at this time.

Please share this story with your friends and family and encourage them to assist as well.

https://blackburnnews.com/sarnia/sarnia-news/2019/05/25/flooding-rain-forest/