Minden Hills has now been in a state of emergency for 32 days and while Hydro One says all accessible properties have had power restored in the weeks since the March 29 ice storm, mayor Bob Carter says the community’s issues are far from over.
In a public statement April 29, Carter said there are currently no plans to end the emergency given the community is facing significant flood risk.
“You may have seen on the news that Peterborough and others have lifted their state of emergency. Why is Minden still in [one]? Our response – water,” Carter said.
He said a pile-up of circumstances, such as higher than usual winter snowfall and an abnormally wet April, was starting to take its toll on the Gull River system, which flows through Minden village.
While the Burnt River system has peaked and is now receding to normal levels, Carter said the Gull was “basically full” as of April 29.
“The lakes above Minden are at capacity or over capacity,” the mayor said. “We started to work with Ministry of Natural Resources and Parks Canada well before the ice storm hit. Significant amounts of water were moved through the Gull River system to try to create capacity in the lakes above Minden in case of unusual weather patterns. However, the constant rains and snow melt have filled the lakes faster than we can move it downstream.
“Another complication is that the ice storm has left us with a fragile environment. There are many branches and trees that are easily disturbed. The streams and culverts are being blocked by debris from these trees, causing washouts and local flooding,” he added.
By staying in a state of emergency, Carter said the township can access more provincial money to assist with response and clean-up. Residents who suffered uninsured damages and financial loss can apply for support through the Ontario government while Minden Hills maintains the emergency measures.
With Environment Canada issuing a tornado warning for swathes of southern Ontario earlier this week, including Haliburton County, and more rain expected over the next few days, Carter said the township “needs to be especially vigilant to react to any consequences.”
Staff is still meeting with MNR and Parks Canada three times a week and will continue to do so through May until the flood threat subsides.
Carter indicated it will likely be some time before things are completely back to normal. Staff has started to clear road allowances and ditches of felled limbs and debris, while the mayor said Minden Hills will soon announce a new program, in partnership with the County, to assist residents removing debris from private property.
“Not everybody was affected equally by this storm. I ask for your patience and a continued spirit of generosity to assist your neighbours. Many hands make light work, and we will need many hands to clean up this mess and get Minden back to normal,” he said.
Should banks break, the township is offering sandbags and sand at the Minden Curling Club parking lot and Irondale Community Centre. Carter is reminding people to have 72-hour emergency kits at home just in case. Some suggested items include non-perishable food, water, batter-ypowered radio and flashlight, first aid kit, toiletries, cash, and warm clothing/footwear.
