The township of Minden Hills, Ont., has declared a state of emergency due to flooding affecting areas in Haliburton County.
Recent heavy rainfall and melting snow have led to rising water levels on the Gull River, which runs through downtown Minden. The emergency declaration was issued Tuesday afternoon.
Many streets in the central area are already underwater, and residents are filling sandbags to protect their homes from potential damage. Flooding often happens during rainy springs in this cottage country region. Past spring floods in 2013 and 2019 caused major issues for numerous homes in Minden.
“Residents in areas that are prone to flooding should take necessary precautions to safeguard their property and keep an eye on the evolving situation,” stated the township.
Mayor Bob Carter mentioned that meetings started back in February with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Parks Canada to track snowmelt and water levels as part of their preparations.
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“Everything is always dependent is always dependent on the weather and over the last weekend the weather changed in a negative way for us,” he told on Wednesday.
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Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. The mayor explained that declaring a state of emergency allows them quicker access to provincial assistance. “We’re not really in that much of an emergency right at this minute, you know you have to do it,” he said. “It’s just part of the process. It gives us power to be able to react quickly.” A road nearby is closed because of washout conditions. Bobcaygeon Road, located two kilometers north of Minden, has been blocked since Monday. Several roads have limited access for local traffic due to standing water. More rain is forecasted over the next ten days, raising further concerns about additional flooding. “When there’s this much water, there’s very little that can be done,” he said. “Obviously, we prepare by making sure that in the future, buildings are built in such a way that they wouldn’t have a basement, as an example. And there’s a few other things that we are looking at as we continue to develop the whole area. But again, you have to manage this, as opposed to prevent it.” More on Weather More videos Bobcaygeon Road in Minden Hills Township is washed away due to flooding on the Gull River. John Mc Neil photo/Facebook Sandbags can be found at the parking lot of the Minden Curling Club. Residents may also fill their own sandbags if needed. Story continues below The township encourages residents to look out for their neighbors and help those who might struggle with this task,” they said. <p homeowners should also check that their sump pumps are functioning well, while all residents need to exercise caution near bodies of water. Carter advises non-residents against visiting and urges locals to stay updated via the township’s website and social media platforms regarding flooding developments. – with files from Marc Woodhouse & amp; copy 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
