Minden Hills, a small town in Haliburton County, continues to be in a state of emergency due to flooding that has led to road closures and necessitated the establishment of an evacuation center within the community. The township declared the state of emergency on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., citing rising water levels on the Gull River, which flows through the town, along with the forecast of continued rainy and warmer weather for the next five to 10 days.
In an update provided on Thursday, the town announced the conversion of its local arena and community space into an evacuation center and advised residents to avoid flooded areas. The update emphasized the unstable road conditions in the affected areas and the need for extreme caution.
Due to the emergency situation, the town’s operations are not running as usual, as many staff members have been redirected to address emergency-related tasks and inquiries. The escalating water levels have caused road closures, with potential hazards such as washouts, water over roadways, and ponding. The Ontario Provincial Police issued a caution on Thursday, advising that only essential travel should be undertaken in the area.
A local resident, Caitlin Pye, described waking up to her sump pump overflowing in the basement and expressed concerns about the rising water levels from the river. Pye humorously likened her situation to feeling like a “princess on a moat” while perched on sandbags outside her home. She shared worries about potential flooding and the possibility of evacuation if the situation worsens.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on the flooding in Minden during an unrelated news conference, acknowledging the volunteer support available to aid the affected communities. The Ontario Flood Forecasting and Warning Program issued a flood watch alert for various regions in southern Ontario, including Sudbury, Ottawa, Niagara, and the Greater Toronto Area.
The program’s website indicated the issuance of local flood warnings in the monitored areas. Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in Ontario, municipalities are obligated to develop and execute an emergency management program. When a state of emergency is declared, municipalities have the authority to take necessary actions and issue orders to safeguard property and the well-being of residents in the emergency zone.