Storm News
Media Release EP# 05-22
For Immediate Release: Date: June 17, 2022 Time: 4:00pm
May 21st Storm Update
The Township of North Kawartha’s Emergency Control Group has continued to meet regularly and communicate with representatives from Hydro, Emergency Management Ontario, various Ministries and local agencies.
Emergency Declaration Status
Due to the tireless work from Hydro One, Municipal Staff, Residents, Contractors, and Volunteers, all roads are now open and/or passable, communication infrastructure has been restored and hydro has been restored to most, if not all, Township residents and businesses. As such, the Township’s ability to provide effective Emergency and Essential Services, is no longer impeded.
Therefore, based on this information and in consultation with our Emergency Municipal Control Group, the Mayor is declaring the Emergency over, in the Township of North Kawartha.
However, it is important to note, that this does not mean that everything is back to normal in the Township. It is abundantly clear that the Township and its residents will continue to have clean up and repairs for months to come. Residents are reminded to refer to the Storm Debris Management Plan and the Provincial Disaster Recovery Assistance Program information as provided below.
Provincial Disaster Recovery Assistance:
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) is a Provincial program that can help residents recover costs after a natural disaster. The Province may activate DRAO for damage to private property if there’s a sudden, unexpected natural event, such as a flood or tornado that causes costly and widespread damage. Claims must be made to your insurance company first. The program is not intended to replace insurance coverage. Insurance payments are deducted from eligible costs. Please note that the Minister has not activated the program, therefore, please read the entire document regarding eligibility and the details of the program.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance
Debris Management:
Please be reminded that ‘Day Burning’ is not permitted, as per the Municipal by-law, and as the Township of North Kawartha falls within the MNR fire district regulations.
Residents may continue to dispose of storm debris or spoiled food as follows:
Trees and Tree Limbs (no loose leaves):
- Trees (8” in diameter or less) and Tree Limbs may be taken to the following Transfer Stations free of charge:
- Anstruther Transfer Station at 400 Anstruther Lake Road, Apsley ON, K0L 1A0
- Haultain Transfer Station at 6879 Highway 28, Woodview ON K0L 3E0
Stumps cannot be accepted:
- It is suggested that a stump grinder, tree and/or property maintenance company be contacted for stump removal.
Loose Leaf and Yard Waste:
- During the storm recovery period only, all ‘loose leaves’ must be in paper yard waste bags.
- Trailers and Trucks full of ‘loose leaves’ cannot be accepted ‘during’ the storm recovery period but will be accepted ‘after’ the storm recovery period.
Residential Brush and Tree Limbs:
- May also be taken to Peterborough County Public Works Yards free of charge:
- Douro Depot - 713 County Rd. 4
- Havelock Depot – 649 County Rd 46
- Buckhorn Depot - 2467 County Rd. 36
- Centreline Depot – 1275 County Rd. 24
- Millbrook Depot – 1111 County Rd. 10
Trees, Tree Limbs and Brush may also be taken to:
- Waste Connection Site at 348 County Road 6, Douro Dummer, ON, K0L 2H0 705-652-3505.
- No bagged yard-waste or loose leaves at this site.
- Tipping fees will apply.
- Bensfort Rd. Landfill Site at 1260 Bensfort Road, Peterborough, ON, K9J 1C5. 705-742-7777 ext. 2150.
- Tipping fees may apply.
Food Spoilage:
- Food Spoilage, in a clear garbage bag, will be accepted at the following Transfer Stations free of charge:
- Anstruther Transfer Station at 400 Anstruther Lake Road, Apsley ON, K0L 1A0
- Haultain Transfer Station at 6879 Highway 28, Woodview ON K0L 3E0
Updates and information will continue to be posted when they become available on the Township website at www.northkawartha.ca.
Also refer to our Emergency Preparedness page, our News page, and our Storm News page.
| News Items |
| Peterborough Public Health - Media Release - May 27, 2022 - Keeping Your Well Water Safe During and After a Power Outage; Residents Urged to Take Precautions to Avoid Waterborne Illnesses |
| Previous Media Releases (by date) | ||||||||
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Township of North Kawartha Declares State of Emergency
The Township of North Kawartha has officially declared a State of Emergency effective today, Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 4:20 p.m. in response to the impacts of the Saturday, May 21, 2022 storm.
“Due to the severe storm that passed through North Kawartha Township on May 21, 2022 our Township has wide spread power outages, with many snapped hydro poles, and downed hydro lines. This along with significant tree fall has made roads difficult and in some cases impossible to access. There are large amounts of property damage and reports of personal injuries including one fatality so far. The widespread devastation is impacting municipal and emergency services and our capacity to respond and provide support to our residents. Communication/IT infrastructure has also been negatively impacted. I have gone through the checklist in consideration of a Declaration of Emergency and have been able to check off more than half of the criteria list.”
- Mayor Carolyn Amyotte
| Mayor's Message May 24, 2022 |
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Hi North Kawartha! Mayor Carolyn here with an update on the current situation in our Township and devastating impact from the storm this past Saturday, May 21st, 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:
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. |
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