MISSISSAUGA — Angry residents who attended a public meeting Thursday evening on the massive storm that flooded thousands of homes demanded immediate help and action to ensure it doesn't happen again.

City of Mississauga Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey organized the meeting and brought along several municipal and regional officials to speak with residents.

However, shortly after Tovey began his remarks, enraged residents began shouting out questions and demanding help. One woman walked out of the meeting in tears, calling out as she left that residents needed help they weren't getting.

The anger in the room at the Mississauga Senior's Centre was palpable, with hundreds of frustrated residents wondering how they're going to pay for the damage to their homes from the July 8 storm. Many said their insurance policies don't cover sewer backup and some of those who did have coverage complained about deductibles in the thousands of dollars.

"Is this meeting for residents to let off some steam or to get something done?" asked Jeanne McRight, who lives in Mineola. "It's a terrible feeling of hopelessness we have and we worry it's all going to be repeated."

McRight said residents have been left on their own.

Tovey empathized with residents, noting his home was flooded as well. He said at least 3,000 homes have been flooded across Mississauga.

"This was absolutely devastating to our community," said Tovey. "I do understand people are angry. I'm angry too."

The councillor said the record 126 millimetres of rainfall that drenched Mississauga was more precipitation in one night then the walloping Hurricane Hazel gave the area in 1954, which left almost 1,900 families homeless and caused over 80 deaths.

The councillor said there's not a storm-water system in North America that would have been able to withstand the ferocity of the July 8 storm.