State of Emergency Update from Mayor Bob Carter, Minden Hills - April 29, 2025

Today is Day 30 of our State of Emergency due to the ice storm at the end of March. Municipalities declare States of Emergency for several reasons. It enables us to gain access to Provincial resources, equipment and services. As an example, it allowed us to gain access to EMS Services from Renfrew, York Region, Lanark and Frontenac for as long as they were needed.

The declaration also allows us to apply for Provincial funding related to extraordinary expenses we incur as a result of the emergency. Other programs allow our constituents to apply for funding if their insurance does not cover their losses from damage. These are the main reasons to declare an emergency.

You may have seen on the news that Peterborough and others have lifted their State of Emergency. Why is Minden still in a State of Emergency? Our response - water.

This has been an unusual spring. We had significant snow this winter and have had a higher than usual amount of precipitation through April. We started to work with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) 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 the freshet (snow melt) have filled the lakes faster than we can move it downstream.

The Burnt River system has peaked and is receding to normal levels but the Gull River system is basically full. The lakes above Minden are at capacity or over capacity. Another complication is that the ice storm has left us with a fragile environment. There are many branches and trees which are easily disturbed. The streams and culverts are being blocked by debris from these trees causing washouts and local flooding.

The weather forecast includes high winds and thunderstorms early this week and, significant precipitation later in the week. Therefore, we need to be especially vigilant to react to any consequences due to the weather and to be prepared for anything.

We are still meeting three times a week with the MNR and Parks Canada and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead until we are through the threats due to the weather. Please take note of the Media Releases from Minden, The County of Haliburton and the OPP. Be extremely cautious of trees and fast-moving water. Stay safe!

As we transition back to normal, we will embark on a cleanup. We have started to clean up the road allowances and ditches and as you have seen. We will be announcing, with the County of Haliburton, a program to assist residents in removing debris.

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.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bob Carter

April 29, 2025

For more information, please visit www.mindenhills.ca/newsroom