Minden Hills, a small town in Haliburton County, Ontario, continues to be in a state of emergency due to flooding that has led to road closures and the establishment of an evacuation center in the community. The township declared the state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon, citing rising water levels in the Gull River, which passes through the town, and the forecast of more rain and warmer weather in the coming days.
The town announced on Thursday that its local arena and community space will serve as an evacuation center and advised residents to avoid flooded areas. They emphasized the changing road conditions and the need for extreme caution in the affected areas. Many town staff have been reassigned to deal with emergency activities, causing disruptions to usual town operations.
The flooding has resulted in road closures, with potential hazards such as washouts and water over roadways. Ontario Provincial Police have issued a warning advising only essential travel in the area. Local resident Caitlin Pye described waking up to her sump pump overflowing in the basement and expressed concerns about potential flooding of her home as water levels continue to rise.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on the flooding situation in Minden during a news conference, highlighting the readiness of volunteers to support affected communities. The Ontario Flood Forecasting and Warning Program has issued a flood watch alert for most of southern Ontario, with local flood warnings in effect across the monitored areas.
Under Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, municipalities are mandated to establish emergency management programs. When a state of emergency is declared, the municipality can take necessary actions to safeguard property and ensure the safety and welfare of affected residents, within the bounds of the law.