60 ARMY RESERVISTS ARRIVING TO HELP BRACEBRIDGE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
BRACEBRIDGE — As the armed forces arrive to help with a flood emergency here, the province is going on the defence by saying the “ministry has taken action to mitigate flooding.”
Sixty Canadian Armed Forces resevists from Toronto are coming to the town’s aid after Bracebridge officials asked for their help Saturday.
With more rain predicted midweek, adding to record high water levels, the fear is more flooding is on its way.
In an effort to continue to manage the ongoing flooding emergency the Town reached out to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre for support and as a result, the soldiers, along with four ten-ton trucks have arrived and are on their way to Bracebridge to assist with sandbags, equipment and resources to support evacuation efforts and first responders, as required, says a town release Sunday.
With roads west on both sides of the Muskoka River flooded, they say previous efforts to mitigate the flooding on Beaumont Drive have resulted in the road being stable. But it is currently open to local traffic only.
With a surge sightseeing interest, town officials are reminding all members of the public that it is illegal to surpass roadways marked as closed.
They note the integrity of roads cannot be guaranteed and may pose a hazard.
For more information on road conditions, please click on the link: Road Status Update.
As well the town has declared all town waterside parks and access points closed until further notice to help ensure public safety during the flood emergency.
They add that: “We are at a point where some areas (where roads are closed and residents haven’t left) are exceeding the 72-hour emergency supply recommendation.”
As a result, they urge residents to call 211 and update them on their situation.
“We cannot guarantee a road will be fixed quickly, and we are advising individuals to not traverse the water.”
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has issued a Drinking Water Advisory for the affected areas. Residents are advised that properties in flooded areas using well water should assume the water is not potable. Municipal water sources are not affected by this advisory.
Water filling stations can be accessed in Bracebridge at 336 Ecclestone Drive, and for those on the Alport side of the Beaumont Drive flooding at 1601 Beaumont Dr. (Kirby’s Beach water treatment plant).
A complete list of Municipal water sources available through the District of Muskoka is available by following this link to: Public Water Taps/Source Locations.
Seasonal residents wishing to check on their properties are encouraged to wait until the flooding emergency has ended to visit their property. Seasonal roads and access to those roads may be impaired by flooding, flood damage or washouts and are unsafe to pass. There are numerous waterfront homes that are without access.
Sandbags are available free of charge at Fowler Construction (1206 Rosewarne Dr.) for Bracebridge properties who have been affected by flooding. Sandbags are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sand material, and bags have also been dropped on Maplewood Rd. (PVT), Herbert Crt. (PVT), and in the George Rd. Boat Launch Overflow Parking Lot. Volunteer efforts are still required to assist with filling and deploying sandbags at Fowler Construction on Rosewarne Drive.
The Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) is a program that can help you recover costs after a natural disaster. The Province of Ontario 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 in your area.
More information is available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-disaster-recovery-assistance.
