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"We realize it wasn't considered to be a disaster, and we're so fortunate the province decided to help us out," said Trent Hills Mayor Hector Macmillan.

On April 16, Trent Hills declared a state of emergency due to the flooding of the Trent and Crowe River systems. Approximately 600 homes were threatened by the flood waters.

Over 850 volunteers, municipal staff, volunteer firefighters, local businesses and firefighters from neighbouring municipalities showed up to help battle the flood, the mayor said. Volunteers filled 45,000 sandbags from the gravel pits that were used to stem the tide.

Flood water levels in Trent Hills were the worst in almost 30 years. About 100 homes flooded, with the worst damage concentrated in the Green Acres area. The state of emergency ended on April 23 as waters slowly receded. The sandbags seemed to work and most homes in the affected area were found to be not badly damaged, Mayor Macmillan said.

"We knew it might be tough to make the argument that it was a disaster," said Mayor Macmillan.

In May, the municipality applied for financial relief after spending $200,000 to fight the floodwaters, which flowed over riverbanks as the winter's snow melted. The money went towards sandbags, sand, portable toilets, fuel for trucks, staff wages and other services.

After returning extra equipment and supplies, the town has a $150,000 bill left from the flood, Mayor Macmillan said. It looks as though the province is going to take care of half the costs with its recent funding announcement.

"It was terrific news that they were able to help us out," said Mayor Macmillan. "We weren't talking millions of dollars, but every dollar counts."

The funding will help to pay for the staff overtime, sandbagging and pumping, rental of equipment and supplies, provision of potable water, and communications to ensure public safety.

"These funds provided by our government will help with the extraordinary expenses incurred by the municipality in dealing with the flooding this past spring," said Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi, in a press statement. "It is times like these that make me so proud to be a resident of this great riding, to see so many members of the greater community coming together to help when disasters strike."