Bracebridge recommending some areas be evacuated due to flooding state of emergency

The Town of Bracebridge is recommending that people in some neighbourhoods evacuate their homes after a state of emergency was declared Tuesday due to immense flooding.

Bracebridge has recommended evacuations for 1094 to 1160 Springdale Shores, Holiday Park Drive and 10 to 118 Cedar Shores. Emergency services will be attending all three of those areas Wednesday to assist with evacuations.

According to the town, a drinking water advisory has also been issued for the affected areas by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

“There has been some people that have voluntarily evacuated their homes,” Bracebridge Public Works foreman Andrew Marshall told Global News. “That is down in the Springdale Shores area.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited Bracebridge mayor Graydon Smith Wednesday morning and offered support from the province.

The town has activated its emergency plan, and people that have been displaced by flooding are being received at the Bracebridge Memorial Arena for temporary shelter.

Water-filling stations are at 336 Ecclestone Dr. and 1601 Beaumont Dr.

A number of roads have been washed out and flooded, and Public Works is responding to the situation on year-round streets.

According to the town, due to the severity of flooding, it may take time to reopen some roads.

Bracebridge OPP has been helping the local fire department and emergency crews with the flooding affecting many areas in Muskoka.

WATCH: Bracebridge inundated with water as Ontario town hit with intense flooding

2:18 Bracebridge inundated with water as Ontario town hit with intense flooding

The Ministry of Natural Resources has advised Bracebridge about the rising water levels in lakes and rivers, in addition to localized flooding happening in low-lying areas.

Bracebridge residents have been instructed to monitor information from the town and to take steps to curb the effects of flooding on their property, a press release issued by the town says, adding that drivers should give careful attention to road-closed signs as streets may be flooded and not visible.

WATCH: Lake level continues to rise as flooding concerns intensify in Bracebridge

0:57 Lake level continues to rise as flooding concerns intensify in Bracebridge

People living in low-lying areas have been advised to make sure that docks or other types of waterfront structures are securely attached to the shore or removed.

Road closures:

• Power Point Road, from High Falls Road / Muskoka Road 50 to the end
• Beaumont Drive / Muskoka Road 16, from 1451 Beaumont Dr. / Muskoka Road 16 to 1565 Beaumont Dr. / Muskoka Road 16
• Santa’s Village Road / Muskoka Road 15, from 363 Santa’s Village Rd. / Muskoka Road 15 to Leslie Drive
• Cridiford Road, from 1049 Cridiford Rd. to the end
• Crockford Road, from Muskoka Beach Road / Muskoka Road 17 to the end
• Holiday Park Drive Private, from Highway 11 and Holiday Park Drive Private to 160 metres east
• Germania Road, from Waters Road to 1507 German Rd.
• River Road, from Taylor Road / Muskoka Road 42 to Wilson’s Falls Road and Ann Street
• Thompson Road, from Highway 118 to the end
• Wilson’s Falls Road, from River Road and Ann Street to the end

Lakes and rivers that have been affected:

• North Branch Muskoka River: Water volumes have met and will exceed the flooding levels of 2013. Water is expected to rise over the next few days and additional flooding can be expected in low-lying areas.
• South Branch Muskoka River: Water volumes are approaching the 2013 flood levels and are expected to increase over the next few days. More flooding can be expected in low-lying areas.
• Black River: Water levels have become less severe and some roads have been reopened.
• Lake Muskoka: Water levels are expected to continue rising.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the Parry Sound District has advised that there is a flood warning in the area, the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Territorial District of Parry Sound and the northwest part of the County of Haliburton.

WATCH: Swollen rivers in Central Ontario continue to raise flooding concerns

0:42 Swollen rivers in Central Ontario continue to raise flooding concerns

Bracebridge OPP have also issued a warning to early-season boaters, saying that melting ice and flooding has led to a massive amount of debris floating in the lakes.

WATCH: Aerials show extent of flooding in Bracebridge, Ontario

1:13 Aerials show extent of flooding in Bracebridge, Ontario

According to police, timbers from broken structures, trees and other debris will be scattered across the lakes and may be difficult to see if partially covered by water.

People should not assume that flooded roadways are safe to pass, OPP says.

Bracebridge is using local resources and mutual aid to manage the flooding, and its emergency control group is monitoring the situation closely.

The town says residents should have supplies to support their households for at least 72 hours.