More than a month and a half after an F3 tornado hit the picturesque town of Goderich, a state of emergency in the town was lifted and there was a big celebration.
The state of emergency had been in effect since the devastating tornado hit in late August, and ensured workers trying to clean up and rebuild the city were protected.
Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt made the announcement live Friday morning on 'The Marilyn Denis Show.'
The show was broadcasting in part from the Goderich home of the Laurie family, Dave, Jennifer, their two children and two dogs, where the show's team unveiled a massive backyard renovation.
Television host Marilyn Denis says "I was just amazed by all the work that was done…It was a $35,000 makeover that turned into a $50,000 makeover."
The family's property was badly damaged by the tornado and was fully restored by the show's team.
Denis says the idea was to provide a carefully planned space, "Knowing how they live with the dogs and the kids and everything, kind of taking different quadrants of the yard and making it very useful and purposeful."
The family was in Toronto on the show's set to watch the big reveal, but many local residents turned out in the rain for the live broadcast.
Shewfelt says "You just can't put them down…It really shows the resilience of our community, how they look forward never look backwards. They kept the attitude, they're not victims, we're survivors."
Resident Peter Herring says "Immediately after the tornado everyone was out, virtually no questions asked. Who needs help, we'll do it."
Many businesses and homes in the town still need to be rebuilt.
Irene Straughan's car and home were damaged, but she's looking on the bright side, "We had our car totalled and that was a bit of a problem, but we're all here and doing fine."
Meanwhile the application deadline for residents for the disaster relief fund has been extended from Oct. 28 to Nov. 25.
And the Laurie family, initially shocked and overwhelmed, is promising a party on their new deck someday soon.
