Mayor Carolyn here with an update on the current situation in our Township and devastating impact from the storm this past Saturday, May 21^st, 2022.  It has and continues to be an incredibly challenging situation to deal with as we are one of many communities across the province who have been hit hard by this significant weather event.  We have wide spread power outages, miles of downed and broken hydro lines and significant tree fall which has made many roads difficult if not impossible to access.   Telephone and internet infrastructure has also been impacted making it a challenge to have regular and reliable communication among first responders, hydro one and municipal staff to provide status updates and coordinate appropriate responses. 

Yesterday, Sunday May 22, after receiving reports and updates from our Township team and in consultation with the Township CAO, I exercised my authority as Mayor to declare a State of Emergency for the entire geographic region of North Kawartha. 

Making this declaration activates the Municipal Control Group, it triggers our Municipal Emergency Response Plan and permits me as the Head of Council to take such action and make such orders as necessary and not contrary to law, during an emergency.  There is no specified time line on when an Emergency must be declared whether it is declared 2 hours, 2 days or 2 weeks after an incident has occurred.   Taking this action means that our local government has access to outside resources and support, as this situation may require extraordinary measures or expenditures to be taken to maintain and restore essential services.  This declaration will also provide important documentation and support for folks that will be making insurance claims for damage and injury as a result of the storm.  Declaring an Emergency means we will receive the assistance and help that we need.

I finally spoke with a Hydro One representative this morning and immediately put them in touch with our CAO, Fire Chief and Roads Supervisor.  Having direct contact and regular communication with Hydro One is vital for our municipal response to this crisis.  Power cannot be safely restored everywhere until Hydro One coordinates with our staff to assess our local situation.  Here’s what we are up against.  Hydro One estimates nearly 300 damaged/ downed poles in our township and hundreds, if not thousands of trees that have fallen.  They are mobilizing crews from outside the province to assist us.

Township staff cannot open roads that have wires one them until Hydro can identify them as not ‘live’.  With partial power restoration to some areas last night, emergency situations were created with arcing wires causing fires resulting in a flurry of calls for service.  I personally had to make one of those calls!  All downed wires must be treated as live until a Hydro One employee states otherwise.  Our Firefighters have come across many structures with hydro mass/ meter damage, some of which have been completely ripped off of buildings. It is important for any folks who are leaving their residences, to ensure that everything was turned off.  If you have already left, please have a neighbour check if you can’t.  This will help to avoid further issues when power is restored. 

Firefighters are also responding to calls for medical and remote rescue as result of the storm in addition to their regular calls for service.  Township roads staff continue to open up roads where it is safe to do so and identify and mark others that aren’t safe.  For these roads our fire department, is identifying alternate access methods whether by ATV or boat in the event of an emergency call.  We are also coordinating with EMS, OPP, neighbouring municipalities, Peterborough County and the provinces Emergency Operation Centre for response assistance and support.

All community centres in the Township are open for residents needing water.  With power being restored to Apsley yesterday The North Kawartha Community Centre has washrooms available, internet services, power for charging devices and continues to offer advance polling stations for the Provincial Election.  Garbage and recycling collection is happening where accessible and if you do not receive collection, you can either take it to one of the transfer stations for free or put out double next week.

The most important things to remember are:

• Treat all downed hydro lines as live and stay clear
• Call 911 for emergencies
• Remember 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness

Please check the township website www.northkawartha.ca for the latest updates and important information.  I would like to take a moment to thank all municipal staff who are working tirelessly to respond to this crisis.  It is important to note that many of them are also dealing with significant personal impacts as a result of the storm.  I also want to thank all community members who have rallied together and come out to help with road clearing and tree clearing and who are making sure their neighbours and fellow residents are ok.  The offers of support and assistance whether it’s a meal, a shower, a plug in to charge a phone or even just a hug to give comfort to so many of us who are overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of destruction is humbling and so much appreciated.  Our community has been through so much these past few years and I continue to be proud of our resilience and care and support for each other.  As always I am honoured to serve you as your Mayor.  Take care and stay safe everyone.  We are working together and we will get through this.  

Thank you.