TORONTO – Residents in two towns north of Toronto are being warned to take immediate action to protect themselves and their property, as flooding emergencies persist into a second day.
A state of emergency was declared in Huntsville and Bracebridge, Ont. on Friday due to widespread flooding.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is warning that water levels will continue to rise over the next 24 hours in Huntsville, located approximately 220 km north of Toronto.
Town officials reported Saturday that water levels in some low lying areas are at the highest point ever recorded.
On Saturday afternoon, the town of Huntsville warned residents that the Big East River bridge on Ravenscliffe Road will be closed for a number of days, due to the increasing water levels.
Power had been shut down in parts of town as a safety precaution.
Shortly after 3:00pm, the Ontario Provincial Police and Ministry of Transportation closed Highway #141 between Highway #11 and Patterson Rd.
Officials said the damage to roads and municipal infrastructure is estimated to be over $1 million.
A state of emergency also remains in effect for Bracebridge, Ont. located approximately 190 km north of Toronto.
A media release issued by the town Saturday evening advised residents to prepare for increased flooding and “assess their individual situation based on current water levels and make arrangements to leave their properties.”
Numerous roads have already been closed due to flooding and washouts, and the release states that increased flooding will likely make more roads impassable.
To help prevent property damage, the town of Bracebridge is making sandbags available to all residents free of charge. Sandbags can be picked up from Fowler Construction, located at 1206 Rosewarne Drive. Fowler will be open until 10:00 p.m. Saturday evening and open Sunday at 7:00 a.m.
On Friday, Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith declared the emergency after being advised by the Ministry “of rising water levels on the North and South Branches of the Muskoka River and Black River.”
According to the mayor’s statement, staff members from Public Works are responding to the flooding issues, adding that due to the severity of the floods, it will take time to re-open some of the affected roads.
The Bracebridge Sportsplex and the Oakley Village Square will be open 24 hours a day as temporary shelters until further notice.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has cautioned in both cases that water levels will continue to rise.
Parents are being reminded to keep their children away from open waters, creeks and rivers.
For more information on closed or flooded roads, please visit bracebridge.ca and huntsville.ca.
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