Minden Hills, a small town in Haliburton County, Ontario, continues to be in a state of emergency due to flooding that has resulted in road closures and the establishment of an evacuation center within the community. The declaration of a state of emergency was made on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. following a rise in water levels on the Gull River, which passes through the town, and the forecast of continued rainy and warmer weather for the next five to 10 days.
In response to the situation, the town announced on Thursday that its local arena and community space will be transformed into an evacuation center and advised residents to avoid flooded areas. The town emphasized the need for extreme caution due to constantly changing road conditions.
Furthermore, the town’s operations have been disrupted as many staff members have been reassigned to deal with emergency tasks and inquiries. The rising water levels have led to the closure of roads, with potential risks such as washouts, water over the roadway, and ponding highlighted by the town authorities.
The Ontario Provincial Police issued a warning on Thursday, urging that only essential travel should be undertaken in the affected area. Local resident Caitlin Pye shared her experience, mentioning how her sump pump overflowed in the basement, and expressed concerns about potential flooding of her home. Despite facing challenges, she maintained a positive outlook, likening her situation to being “a princess on a moat.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the flooding conditions in Minden during a news conference and assured support for the affected communities. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Program has issued a flood watch alert for various regions in southern Ontario, including Bracebridge, Sudbury, Ottawa, and the Niagara Region, along with the GTA.
Local flood warnings have been issued across the monitored areas, in alignment with the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which mandates municipalities to have emergency management programs in place. When a state of emergency is declared under the act, municipalities are empowered to take necessary actions and issue orders to safeguard property and the well-being of residents in the emergency area.