Date: Monday, March 31, 2025

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Media Release # 25-35

Re:      Township Declares State of Emergency Due to Ice Storm – Update #1

The Township of Minden Hills declared a state of emergency earlier on March 31, 2025 due to the Ice Storm. The storm has caused widespread power outages, along with some areas cellular and internet service being down. These conditions are impacting many residents, businesses and Township facilities.

Township Public Works staff are working on clearing downed trees from Township roads. This will take significant time due to the volume of downed trees and roads impacted across the municipality. Thank you to our neighbouring municipalities for their assistance.

Staff are working hard to help clear our roads and we understand that without power there may be a need for a warming centre. Our S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena will provide a warming and information centre for the community.

Information & Warming Centre

The S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden) is open during this emergency and is operating as a warming centre for members of the community along with an information centre for updates on the situation with some information on the clean-up and restoration efforts. This facility will be open 24 hours a day during the emergency. Please note that no pets are permitted at the facility for safety and space limitations.

We encourage anyone who needs assistance to come to the Community Centre.

Other Updates

Our communication channels are still not fully operational. We do not have telephone or internet service and are posting information on the Township website and social media as we can with very limited access.

The Township Emergency Operations Centre has been established and continues to monitor conditions and is working with the Province, County and neighbouring municipalities to address conditions.

Ontario Hydro is working on power outages in the area, to report an outage please contact 1-800-434-1235. You can text ‘outage’ to 92887 (WATTS). Ontario Hydro also has an outage app which will show outages and estimated restoration times.

Cell Tower update, several towers have been impacted during this storm event and there is no current repair time available.

Township Facilities

• The Scotch Line Landfill is open today (Monday, March 31) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All other municipal facilities are temporarily closed due to the emergency including:

• The Township of Minden Hills Administration Office (7 Milne St., Minden) is closed due to the lack of communication ability (phones and internet).
• Minden Hills Cultural Centre (174 - 176 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden).
• SG Nesbitt Memorial Arena is open as a warming centre, note there is no programming available at the centre during the emergency.

We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work through the impacts of this major weather event. Note staff are continuing to assess the full situation on Township roads and at our facilities.

We will post updates on the Township and Social Media sites as they become available.

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