Two days after declaring a state of emergency as a result of increasing water levels of the Gull River, the Township of Minden Hills in Haliburton County is continuing to respond to flood conditions and escalating impacts on the community and its infrastructure.
On Thursday (April 16), the township provided an update on the state of emergency and flood conditions, urging residents to avoid any areas of Minden Hills that are affected by flooding water as road conditions are constantly changing.
“Residents in areas that are susceptible to flooding should take necessary precautions to protect property and continue to monitor developing conditions,” states a township media release. “Be aware and be prepared to evacuate independently if necessary. If possible, make arrangements with family and/or friends for accommodation.”
The township is setting up an evacuations centre at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and Community Centre at 55 Parkside Street in Minden, and all programming at the arena will be cancelled as early of Thursday afternoon.
“We will advise the community when the evacuation centre is operational,” the release states. “The centre will offer light refreshments, snacks, water filling station, shower facilities, sleeping area, charging stations for medical and phones (be sure to bring your charging cables). 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.”
The township is also advising residents that it is not operating in a “business as usual manner” as many township staff have been reallocated to respond to emergency-related activities and inquiries.
The township held a special council meeting on Thursday morning, where Mayor Bob Carter addressed the state of emergency.
“We are updating road conditions as we become aware of issues,” the mayor said. “Our emergency operations centre is active, and we are meeting regularly — in fact, sometimes multiple times a day. The township has regular meetings with MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) and Parks Canada that highlight the continuing monitoring of the water levels.”
Mayor Carter said that the flooding situation has resulted in the postponement of an event scheduled for Thursday morning to officially unveil the township’s new public access automated external defibrillator and that the council’s meeting agenda would be abbreviated.
The mayor also reminded residents that self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Minden Curling Club parking lot at 50 Parkside St. in Minden and at the Irondale Community Centre at 1004 Line Drive Road in Irondale.
Residents are asked to bring their own shovels, and to help out their neighbours if they are unable to obtain sandbags themselves.
Some filled sandbags are available on a first-come first-served basis at the Minden Curling Club parking lot.
The rising water levels have affected many township roads with washouts, water over roadways, and ponding. Several roads have been closed and others have restricted access. Residents are asked to avoid driving on any roadways that are underwater, as road conditions may be unstable and dangerous.
The Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has also advised the public to avoid the Minden Hills area due to road conditions.
For current updates on roads that are closed or have restricted access, visit www.mindenhills.ca/news. Residents who have flood-related questions are asked to contact the public inquiry centre at flood2026@mindenhills.ca or 705-286-1260.
