As we stand on the cusp of a new year, CBC News in Thunder Bay takes a look back at 2012, and the stories that caught our audience’s attention online.

There were stories of natural disasters, politics and entertainment — and what people clicked on the most, may surprise some. But, clearly, stories about the floods predominate. Here’s the list of the 10 most clicked-on stories from our region, as compiled by CBC’s audience research department:

10. 4 die in crash near Marathon

Four people died in a motor vehicle collision between two cars on the Pic River First Nation near Marathon, Oct. 7.

Ontario Provincial Police reported two vehicles collided on Highway 627, about eight kilometres south of Highway 17, just before 10:30 p.m.

Police later identified the deceased as 17-year-old Kody Nabigon, 22-year-old Jordan Nabigon, 36-year-old Greg Nabigon and 20-year-old Jaret LeClair.

Read more here.

9. Flooding forces Wawa to declare state of emergency

When part of their house broke away as flood waters rose, Wawa area residents Deb and Jim Sanders grabbed their pets and decided to take their chances with the water. When part of their house broke away as flood waters rose, Wawa area residents Deb and Jim Sanders grabbed their pets and decided to take their chances with the water. (Martine Laberge/Radio-Canada)

Following record rainfall and torrential flooding in late October, Wawa declared a state of emergency. The mayor of Wawa said that in Wawa proper, an overflowing creek damaged the basement of the hospital, and street drains were backed up with debris.

Read more here

8. Tim Hortons loses $265K at hospital, union won't budge

A story out of CBC Windsor caught the attention of our readers.

Windsor Regional Hospital reported its three Tim Hortons are annually losing $265,000 in taxpayers’ money. Employees are paid nearly triple what the average coffee server makes. The hospital has owned and operated three Tim Hortons cafes for 15 years, which are funded by provincial health-care dollars.

It pays Tim Hortons eight per cent of total sales to have the franchise on location. Overall, food services at the hospital, including Tim Hortons, lost $600,000 each year.

Read more here

7. Justin Bieber chided by Aboriginal group for free gas comment

Pop star Justin Bieber faced criticism from an Aboriginal group after saying that he believes he is part Aboriginal and can fill up at the pumps for free as a result.

Canadian singer Justin Bieber performs during the halftime show during the 100th CFL Grey Cup championship football game in Toronto, Nov. 25. The singer got into some hot water with Aboriginal groups after saying during a Rolling Stone interview that he was eligible for free gas because he was of First Nations descent.Canadian singer Justin Bieber performs during the halftime show during the 100th CFL Grey Cup championship football game in Toronto, Nov. 25. The singer got into some hot water with Aboriginal groups after saying during a Rolling Stone interview that he was eligible for free gas because he was of First Nations descent. (Christinne Muschi/REUTERS)

"I'm actually part Indian. I think Inuit or something?" Bieber was quoted as saying in Rolling Stone magazine's August issue. "I'm enough per cent that in Canada I can get free gas."

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples said that Bieber's statement required that "misconceptions" be cleared up.

Read more here

6. Thunder Bay flooding prompts national appeal for help

A Canada-wide appeal for financial donations for flood victims in Thunder Bay was launched as the city tried to cope with the flood’s devastating effect on residents as many homes had basements knee-deep in water--some with sewage.

The Salvation Army and The Canadian Red Cross officially launched national appeals to assist residents.

Read more here

5. Ontario calls joint inquest in Aboriginal student deaths

The office of Ontario's chief coroner, Dr. Andrew McCallum, announced it would hold a joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations teenagers from remote reserves who were living in Thunder Bay to attend high school.The office of Ontario's chief coroner, Dr. Andrew McCallum, announced it would hold a joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations teenagers from remote reserves who were living in Thunder Bay to attend high school. (Colin Perkel/Canadian Press)

Ontario's chief coroner announced he would hold a joint inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations teenagers from remote reserves who were living in Thunder Bay to attend high school.

Read more here

4. Former priest, Boy Scout leader faces more sex charges

The Ontario Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario laid more charges against a former Anglican priest and Boy Scout leader for alleged sexual offences.

Ralph RoweRalph Rowe (Courtesy of The Surrey-North Delta Leader)

Ralph Rowe, 72, was charged with five counts of sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to incidents that occurred between 1973 and 1986 in the First Nations communities of Fort Severn, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wunnumin Lake and Kingfisher Lake.

Read more here

3. Thunder Bay declared disaster area after flood

Thunder Bay was declared a disaster area by city council at an impromptu meeting in the wake of the unprecedented rainfall and flood that left the region in a state of emergency.

Torrential rains led to major flooding which overtook thousands of Thunder Bay area residents' basements.Torrential rains led to major flooding which overtook thousands of Thunder Bay area residents' basements. (CBC)Read more here

2. Wawa, Ont. damage from rain may exceed $10M

The destruction that heavy rain caused in the northern Ontario town of Wawa was worse than feared, the community's mayor said, after the freak downpour overflowed creeks and rivers, washing out arterial roads and collapsing sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Read more here

1. Thunder Bay flooding causes state of emergency

Record rainfall causes epic flooding in the city.

Read more here