Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Media Release # 25-36

Re: Township Declares State of Emergency Due to Ice Storm – Update #2

The Township of Minden Hills declared a state of emergency on March 31, 2025 due to the Ice Storm. The storm has caused widespread power outages, along with areas suffering outages of their cellular and internet networks.

Warming Centre

The S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena / Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden) is open 24 hours a day during this emergency. The centre is operating as a warming centre for members of the community along with an information centre for updates on the clean-up and restoration efforts.

There are shower facilities available, as well spots for charging devices. Be sure to bring your charging cables.

This facility will be open 24 hours a day during the emergency. Please note that no pets are permitted at the facility for safety and space limitations.

We encourage anyone who needs assistance to come to the Arena / Community Centre.

Mayor Carter has shared the following statement:

 “As a result of the weekend weather events we are suffering through unprecedented series of challenges. Our staff and the emergency control group have been working through the weekend and we officially declared an emergency on Monday. Minden Hills staff has now been supplemented by staff from County of Haliburton, our neighbouring municipalities, Renfrew County, York Region and the Province.

I want to thank everyone working on our issues and preparing for a possible second storm on Wednesday.” 

Other Updates & Information

Our communication channels are still not fully operational. We do not have telephone or internet service and are posting information intermittently as we can with very limited access. 

Ontario Hydro is working on power outages in the area, to report an outage please contact 1-800-434-1235. You can text ‘outage’ to 92887 (WATTS). Ontario Hydro also has an outage app which will show outages and estimated restoration times.

Cell Tower / Internet update, several towers have been impacted during this storm event and there is no current repair time available.

Food safety information is available at the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit https://www.hkpr.on.ca/health-topics/emergency-preparedness/power-outages/.

Many area businesses have been impacted by the lack of internet and may only be able to accept cash only.

Township Facilities

• All waste disposal sites are operating on regular winter hours.
• Scotch Line Landfill - waste disposal fees are cash only.
• To assist residents with clean-up from the storm we are waiving brush disposal fees until further notice. Brush is being accepted at the Scotch Line Landfill.
• All other municipal facilities are temporarily closed due to the emergency including the Township of Minden Hills Administration Office (7 Milne St., Minden) and the Minden Hills Cultural Centre (174 - 176 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden).
• SG Nesbitt Memorial Arena is open as a warming centre, note there is no programming available at the centre during the emergency.

We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work through the impacts of this major weather event. Staff are continuing to assess the full situation on Township roads and at our facilities.

We will post updates on the Township and Social Media sites as they become available.

-END-