Update #5 State of Emergency Flooding 2026 - April 17

For Immediate Release                                                               

Minden, Ontario
April 17, 2026
4:30 PM
Release # 26-33

Subject: Update #5 State of Emergency Flooding 2026 on April 17, 2026

Evacuation Centre at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena / Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden)

The Evacuation Centre is scheduled to open today (Friday, April 17, 2026) at 7:00 p.m. Amenities available at the Evacuation Centre include: light refreshments, snacks, water filling station, shower facilities, sleeping area, charging stations for medical devices and phones (be sure to bring your charging cables and personal hygiene amenities including towels/face clothes). 

The Province’s Emergency Management team is arranging to have mental health representatives at the centre to assist evacuees during this challenging time. As well, our Haliburton County Paramedics will have Community Paramedic services at the Evacuation Centre. 

This facility will be open 24 hours a day until evacuation conditions are lifted. Please note that no pets are permitted at the facility for safety and due to space limitations. 

We are very grateful to have the Salvation Army Volunteers assisting with our Evacuation Centre. 

Bridge Closures

Bridges in downtown Minden will be closing on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM this includes the bridge on Sunnybrook Bridge (Bobcaygeon Road vehicle and pedestrian bridge) and the Loggers Footbridge (pedestrian bridge). 

The Sunnybrook bridge will be closed to all traffic. This includes vehicles and pedestrians until further notice. 

Bobcaygeon Road Rebuild

The rebuild of Bobcaygeon Road is progressing well. The Township will continue to provide updates.

Detour 1 Deep Bay Road

Detour details:

Bobcaygeon Road to Deep Bay Road
Deep Bay Road to Highway 35
Highway 35 to Bobcaygeon Road

Emergency Services have made arrangements to have personnel on stand-by in the area after the bridge closure.  

Self-Serve Sand and Sandbags

To date there have been 23,000+ sandbags filled and picked up in the community. The Province has delivered an additional 20,000 bags with more on order.  We thank all the staff and volunteers who continue to help fill sandbags. 

The Province of Ontario has arranged Global Medic to come to the community to assist with sandbagging. They will be bringing a sandbagging machine along with a team to fill sandbags. 

Minden:

Self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Minden Curling Club Parking Lot, located at 50 Prentice St., Minden. 

A second location for self-serve sand and sandbags is set-up at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parking lot at 7 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden.

These are self-serve, please remember to bring a shovel. There will be some filled sandbags available on a first come, first served basis at these locations.  

Irondale:

Self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Irondale Community Centre (1004 Line Drive Road, Irondale). This resource is self-serve, please remember to bring a shovel. 

Residents are encouraged to think of their neighbours, don’t forget about those around you that may have difficulty with this task. 

Volunteers

The Haliburton Chamber of Commerce is assisting to help organize volunteers. If looking to volunteer, contact Amanda Conn at the Haliburton Chamber of Commerce email .

Facility Closures

The Minden Hills Cultural Centre (176 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden) is closed to the public as staff assist with the ongoing State of Emergency. 

The Haliburton County Library Minden Hills branch will be closed on Saturday, April 18, 2026 due to the State of Emergency and Sunnybrook Bridge closure. Visit haliburtonlibrary.ca for more information. 

Public Inquiries

We ask the community to direct flood related questions to the Public Inquiry Centre via email or call 705-286-1260. 

If there is immediate danger anytime, contact 911. 

The Township of Minden Hills declared a State of Emergency on April 14, 2026 in response to the flood conditions and the escalating impacts to our community and infrastructure. Visit our website for up-to-date information at www.mindenhills.ca/news. 

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Contact Information:

Township of Minden Hills
Public Inquiry Centre
Email or call 705-286-1260