Minden Hills, a small town 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. The town declared the emergency on Tuesday afternoon, citing rising water levels on the Gull River, which runs through the town, and the forecast of continued rainy and warm weather for the next five to 10 days.
In response to the situation, the town announced that its local arena and community space will be converted into an evacuation center, urging residents to avoid flooded areas. The town also noted that normal operations would be disrupted as many staff members are now focused on emergency response activities.
The flooding has caused road closures in the area, with potential hazards such as washouts and water over roadways. The Ontario Provincial Police have advised that only essential travel should be undertaken in the affected area.
Local resident Caitlin Pye described waking up to her basement sump pump overflowing and expressed concerns about potential flooding of her home. She humorously likened her situation to feeling like a “princess on a moat,” perched on sandbags outside her house. Pye expressed worry about the rising water levels and the possibility of evacuation if conditions worsen.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on the flooding in Minden during a separate news conference, mentioning the readiness of numerous volunteers to support affected communities. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Program has issued a flood watch alert for most of southern Ontario, extending to various regions, including Sudbury, Ottawa, and the GTA.
Under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, municipalities are mandated to have an emergency management program in place. When a state of emergency is declared, municipalities can implement necessary measures to safeguard property and the well-being of residents within the emergency area.