The City of Orillia’s Municipal Emergency Control Group continues to respond to the impacts of the ice storm, working around the clock to coordinate the emergency response and ensure public safety.
While power has been restored to some areas of the City, this remains an active emergency. Trees and powerlines are still coming down across the City due to ongoing winds and unstable conditions. Many areas are still hazardous, and cleanup efforts are being delayed as a result. Do not go out unless absolutely necessary. Staying off the roads helps protect your safety and allows emergency crews to respond more effectively.
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"This remains a very real and active emergency with trees and powerlines are still falling. Please stay home unless absolutely necessary. We thank residents for their patience, those who have reached out to volunteer, and the local stores and organizations supporting our Relief Centre,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “We are also extremely grateful to the Province of Ontario and the County of Simcoe for their support and for bringing additional resources into our community. I want to extend my deepest thanks to City crews and our emergency services teams who have been working around the clock with little to no sleep. Your tireless efforts are the backbone of our emergency response, and our community is safer because of you."
What's Next For The Storm Recovery? Listen Here
The City is working with the Province of Ontario to coordinate door-to-door wellness checks and information sharing. Volunteers will be visiting affected areas to provide safety updates and connect residents to available supports and resources.
Roads:
Many roads are closed throughout the city due to downed trees, powerlines and debris. Barricades and road closure signs are in place. Please do not remove these from their locations and do not drive around these barriers. These are in place for public safety. With traffic lights out, the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop, where drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to the vehicle on their right if they arrive simultaneously.
City crews are continuing to clear downed trees from roads. Additional contractors are being brought in to assist. Most of the remaining trees are intertwined with hydro lines and require Hydro One’s assistance. We are working closely with Hydro One to prioritize locations and provide support where possible.
We recognize that some residents may need to park on the road due to blocked driveways from downed trees or powerlines. City by-law will be making exceptions to the Overnight Parking restrictions in those situations. If you do, please avoid parking near fire hydrants and be prepared to move your vehicle if needed, as Hydro One and emergency crews require clear access to complete restoration work safely.
Reporting Downed Trees:
To report downed trees that are not life-threatening, please contact the Municipal Operations Centre at 705-326-4585. Calls will be logged and addressed based on priority. Please be patient. Only call 911 in emergency or life-threatening situations.
Parks:
All public parks in Orillia are closed until further notice. The storm has caused extensive damage, with many downed and unstable trees. The public is reminded that it is extremely unsafe to enter any park areas at this time.
Private Property Clean Up Safety:
If you begin yard cleanup, exercise extreme caution. Hazards such as downed wires, sharp debris, and unstable branches may not be visible and can pose serious risks. Always treat all wires as live and keep a safe distance. Do not place debris, branches, or trees on roads or boulevards. This obstructs emergency response and delays cleanup efforts.
City Facilities:
All City of Orillia facilities will remain closed to the public today (Monday, March 31, 2025). This includes the Orillia Recreation Centre (except for the designated Relief Centre), Orillia City Centre, Municipal Operations Centre, Waste Diversion Site, Orillia Public Library, Orillia Opera House, Orillia Youth Centre and more.
The Relief Centre at the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.) will be open until 9 p.m. today (March 31). Overnight guests must register for 9 p.m. to stay overnight. The centre offers a warm, safe space, charging stations (priority for medical devices), access to restrooms, and light refreshments.
Future City facility operations and services will be dependent on power outage status and will be communicated in a further update. City staff are prioritizing emergency operations so typical services, such the Orillia Summer Made Fun Guide scheduled to be published today, could be delayed.
Special Council Meeting:
A Special Meeting of Council will take place at 2 p.m. today (Monday, March 31) to discuss opportunities to support the community during the emergency response and recovery efforts.
Service Impacts:
- Hydro: Hydro One is leading power restoration. City staff are supporting and prioritizing critical areas.
- Roads: Crews continue to clear roads, sidewalks, and trees. Stay away from downed wires and branches.
- Orillia Transit: Service is fully suspended today (Monday, March 31).
- Waste Collection: Suspended for the week of March 31 to April 4. Set materials out the following week.
- Waste Diversion Site: Closed. Please delay material drop-off as the City explores brush/tree wood management solutions.
- Water/Wastewater: Systems operational but under pressure. Reduce usage (flushing, laundry, dishwashing) to prevent backups.
- Emergency Services: Fire, police, and paramedics are fully staffed and responding to high call volumes. Use 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.
- Crossing Guards: Will not be on duty on Monday, March 31.
Power Outage Safety Tips:
- Dress in layers and use blankets to stay warm
- Never use generators indoors or near doors/windows (carbon monoxide risk)
- Do not use barbecues, gas stoves, or camp stoves indoors
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to preserve food
- Use battery-powered lights instead of candles
- Unplug electric vehicles to prevent power surges and protect the vehicle
Additional Public Health Resources:
Residents are encouraged to review the following emergency preparedness and safety resources from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit:
- Cleaning up after a flood
- Drinking water safety after a power outage
- Food safety and other emergency tips
Reporting Information:
- To report or check on power outages, contact Hydro One:
- Online: hydroone.com/outages
- Text “outage” to 92887 (WATTS)
- Call 1-800-434-1235
- The City’s emergency phone lines are overwhelmed. Please do not report downed trees unless it is life-threatening. For all other reports, wait until conditions improve.
The City has been liaising with multiple agencies to establish community supports, stabilize and maintain critical infrastructure and address hazardous conditions by blocking unsafe roadways and clearing priority areas. Efforts have also included preparing and opening the Relief Centre, working closely with Emergency Management Ontario and the County of Simcoe Emergency Management to coordinate response efforts and liaise with Hydro One to support power restoration plans.
Conditions are evolving rapidly. The City will continue to monitor impacts and provide timely updates on service disruptions, road conditions, and public safety through orillia.ca and the City’s official social media channels.
