Home / Weather / Manitoulin Island Declares Emergency Amidst Severe Flooding
Manitoulin Island Declares Emergency Amidst Severe Flooding
15 Apr
Summary
- Northeastern Ontario faces rising waters from snowmelt and rain.
- Central Manitoulin declared a state of emergency due to flooding.
- Mindemoya Hospital reports service disruptions from floodwaters.
Heavy snowmelt coupled with persistent rain has caused significant flooding across a wide area of northeastern Ontario, prompting flood warnings and watershed condition statements. As of Tuesday evening, flood warnings were in effect from Sault Ste. Marie eastward to Mattawa and extending north to Temiskaming Shores and south past Parry Sound.
The Municipality of Central Manitoulin declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, with Mayor Richard Stephens reporting streets and buildings submerged and several roads closed. The Mindemoya Hospital is contending with water and sewer service issues, prompting a focus on urgent care and requests for non-essential visits to be postponed.
Further north, communities along the James Bay Coast are under watershed condition statements. Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory reported a washed-out road and advised of potential power outages due to a downed power line. In North Bay, localized flooding led to road closures and the postponement of a hockey game.
City of Greater Sudbury is offering sandbags to residents, while the Canadian Red Cross advises clearing storm drains and preparing emergency kits. Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources warns of above-average snowpack and the potential for ice jams, urging preparedness for rapid runoff.
