Minden Hills, a small town located in Haliburton County, remains in a state of emergency due to flooding that has led to road closures and the establishment of an evacuation center within the community. The town declared the state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon, attributing it to rising water levels in the Gull River, which runs through the town, along with the forecast of continued rainy and warm weather for the next week. In response, the town announced the conversion of its local arena and community space into an evacuation center and advised residents to avoid flooded areas.
The town emphasized the changing road conditions and urged residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid affected areas. Furthermore, it informed the community that normal town operations would be disrupted as many staff members are assisting with emergency response efforts. The escalating water levels have resulted in road closures, with potential risks of washouts, water over roadways, and ponding. The Ontario Provincial Police issued a warning advising that only essential travel should be undertaken in the area.
Local resident Caitlin Pye shared her experience of waking up to her sump pump overflowing in the basement, with water levels steadily rising since Sunday night. Pye humorously described her situation as feeling like a “princess on a moat” while perched on sandbags outside her home. She expressed concerns about potential flooding and the possibility of evacuation if the water continues to rise, especially as visibility diminishes during the night.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford addressed the flooding in Minden during a separate news conference, acknowledging the community’s challenges and emphasizing the readiness of volunteers to provide support. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Program for Ontario issued a flood watch alert covering a large portion of southern Ontario, including areas stretching from Sudbury to Ottawa and down to the Niagara Region, encompassing the GTA. The province has also issued local flood warnings for the monitored regions.
Under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, municipalities are obligated to develop and implement emergency management programs. When a municipality declares a state of emergency under the act, it is empowered to take necessary actions and issue orders to protect property and ensure the safety, health, and welfare of residents within the emergency area.