Bracebridge Storm Update

The Town of Bracebridge’s Emergency Control Group continues to monitor the outcome of the weekend’s freezing rain event and is working closely with partner organizations to facilitate clean up and power restoration as soon as possible.

The Bracebridge Fire Department is continuing targeted wellness checks with members of the community that are unable to leave their property due to fallen power lines and are still without electricity. Wellness check team members can be identified by their Bracebridge Fire Department uniforms. So far, the team patrolled 85 seasonal and private roads in the eastern rural areas of Bracebridge to ensure residents were safe and to offer food baskets.

If you are in need of a wellness check, and are located on a seasonal or private road, please call 705-645-5264 ext. 3650 to talk to a Town representative during office hours or leave a message after hours. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

District of Muskoka Assistance

In addition to the services being offered by the Town, the District of Muskoka has activated an Ice Storm Assistance phone line and email to support residents in need. The Emergency Response Team is available to help with urgent needs related to health, safety, and access to essential services, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When leaving a message please include your name, contact number and type of assistance required. 

• 705-645-2100 ext. 4500
• icestorm@muskoka.on.ca

Requests will be prioritized based on urgency—basic needs will be addressed first. This includes:

• Access to food or water;
• Medication or medical devices;
• Wellness checks;
• Heating and fuel (e.g., for generators); and
• Blocked roads.

Learn more at www.muskoka.on.ca/spring-ice-storm.

Special Weather Statement from Environment Canada

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning and freezing rain warning for Bracebridge beginning this evening through to Thursday morning. Freezing rain could bring between 4 to 8 mm of freezing rain with ice accretion. Surfaces such as roads, walkways and parking lots may become slippery. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break. Rain may be heavy at times with 20 to 40 mm forecasted with possible thunderstorms. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Public Works crews continue to monitor changing weather conditions to ensure a safe road and sidewalk network.

Operational Update

Public Works crews continue to work on clearing debris and are working closely with utility service providers to gain access to affected areas. Hydro One is prioritizing roads where residents are unable to leave their property due to fallen trees and power lines.

Residents are asked to avoid areas where clean-up is still taking place. Tree branches continue to fall, and downed power lines continue to be a concern. Local road closures are in place where necessary. Please follow all on-site signage. The [/news/posts/town-of-bracebridge-declares-a-significant-weather-event-due-to-freezing-rain-and-urges-residents-to-stay-home/]Significant Weather Event will remain in effect until further notice.

Residents are reminded that all Town of Bracebridge parks and trails are closed and not maintained during the off season. The ice storm has caused damage and excessive amounts of debris that has made locations unsafe. Please use extreme caution in these areas. Do not visit any Town parks or trails until further notice.

The District of Muskoka’s Significant Weather Event and Emergency Declaration also remains in effect.

For more information on staying safe and emergency preparedness, visit bracebridge.ca/winterstorm.

Power Outages

Parts of Bracebridge continue to experience power outages. Lakeland Power and Hydro One are working to restore power to affected areas as soon as possible and have outside resources assisting. For updates:

• Lakeland Power: text updates and outage map
• Hydro One: text updates and outage map

If you see a downed powerline, always assume it is live and deadly. Downed powerlines can electrify the ground around it, so you don’t have to touch the powerline to receive a deadly shock. Stay 10 metres back from the line. Call 9-1-1 and the appropriate power distribution company immediately.

The following Town of Bracebridge facilities continue to be available during regular hours for respite from power outages and to charge devices:

• Bracebridge Sportsplex, 110 Clearbrook Trail; and
• Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, 56 Salmon Avenue.

Please note, the Bracebridge Sportsplex is currently operating under modified hours. From Monday to Thursday, the pool will close at 7 p.m. and the rest of the facility will close at 8 p.m. Facility hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will remain unchanged.

Be a Good Neighbour

Take the opportunity to check on neighbours and vulnerable members of the community, especially those who may have experienced prolonged power outages. If residents are in danger, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

Debris Clean Up

The District of Muskoka is waiving tipping fees for chippable wood (tree limbs, branches, shrubs and twigs) up to the limits set in the Schedule “E” of their Waste Management By-law. Materials generated through storm cleanup can be delivered to the Rosewarne Landfill in Bracebridge or the Beiers Transfer Station in Gravenhurst during their normal operating hours.

The temporary fee relief period will be available for a limited time and in limited quantities. Brush must be cut into pieces no longer than four feet and stumps will not be accepted.

Open Air Burning

The Muskoka-wide fire danger rating system is now in effect. Recreational open-air fires are permitted between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.in all four of Bracebridge’s fire zones in accordance with the Burning Control By-Law. Daytime burning and slash pile burning is not permitted during this timeframe.

Residents are asked not to burn tree debris due to the amount that is present. Please do not store piles of tree debris along the road allowance and keep it away from any clean up and restoration efforts.

Water Testing

If you rely on a private well or other non-municipal water source, your water quality may change over time, especially during power outages or extreme weather. Residents with private water systems are encouraged to disinfect, flush and test their water before consumption. A limited quantity of water testing kits are available at the Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court, or Fire Station 1, 225 Taylor Road for pickup. Samples must be delivered to the SMDHU Gravenhurst Office, 5 Pineridge Gate, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Water Filling Station

The Ecclestone Booster Station at 340 Ecclestone Drive is available for water bottle filling. The Kirby's Beach Water Treatment Plant is currently unavailable.

Health and Safety

During and after a power outage it is important to consider the safety of your food and water to protect against any food or waterborne illnesses. For more information on food safety during a power outage, visit Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit.

Flood Warning Remains in Effect

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Flood Warning remains in effect until Friday, April 4. This applies to all watersheds in Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound, including the Muskoka River Watershed and Black River.