MANITOULIN—The recent deluge combined with the melting of the massive snow buildup that accumulated over recent weeks led to a near-perfect storm of flooding across Manitoulin Island, washing out roads, driveways and, in some cases, resulting in the need to evacuate residents in Tehkummah and Wiikwemkoong.
The question on many people’s minds as they take a break from filling sandbags and digging drainage channels, is ‘how much is this going to cost and how will it impact municipal budgets?’ The answer is a resounding “we don’t know” from all quarters, but it will likely be in the many millions of dollars when tallied up from across the region.
“As this is an evolving situation we do not know what the total cost of dealing with the flooding will be,” confirmed Northeast Town CAO David Williamson. “The costs will have to be covered out of operating and potentially reserve funds (if approved by council) unless funding is available from the province either through the Disaster Recovery Assistance fund or the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance Fund.”
photo by Michael Erskine
photo by Alicia McCutcheon
The calculations for those applications will be taking place over the next three months, as communities have 120 days to submit.
Mr. Williamson noted that “an emergency declaration under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act is not required for either program to be activated.” But emergencies have been declared.
Other town CAOs and managers also said there was no way to calculate the costs yet, especially with weather forecasts suggesting the challenge is far from over—with more rain and snow in the forecasts.
Ontario Provincial Police say several communities on Manitoulin Island have declared a state of emergency, including the Township of Assiginack, the Township of Billings, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin, the Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island and Tehkummah Township.
The Municipality of Central Manitoulin was also asking volunteers to come out and to help fill sandbags. Complicating matters for that community is that they are also under a drinking water advisory.
The situation was dire across nearly all of Northeastern Ontario in fact. Several roads were closed in Northeastern Ontario due to flooding, including Highway 546 north of Iron Bridge, Highways 810 and 553 north of Massey, Secord Road South, south of Sudbury, Elbow Ridge Road and Elbow Lake Road in Burwash, Nepewassi Lake Road in Estaire, Highway 533 between Mattawa and Highway 63 and Highway 630 between Kiosk Highway and Adams Road.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and local conservation authorities have issued flood warnings or watches for several areas, including flood warnings for Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River, Sudbury, North Bay and Mattawa. Other areas in the region, including the far North, have a flood outlook advisory in place. The Timmins and Kirkland Lake areas are also under a water safety statement.
Over the course of the week roads across Manitoulin were also closed, including in Central Manitoulin where Blue Road was closed from Cress Road to Yonge Street; Britainville Road from White Church Road to Old Mill Road; Beaver Road from Hartley Sideroad to Grimesthorpe Road and Forest Street. While Highway 542 and Highway 551 were experiencing severe flooding from Big Lake to Providence Bay; and Highway 551 was at one point reduced to one lane in the Providence Bay area.
In Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Rockville Road was open to local traffic only, but remained impassable in the Newby’s Bay and Government Dock areas. Lakeshore Road was closed, as were parts of Townline Road, Bidwell Road and Honora Bay Road.
In Assiginack, Bidwell Road was closed to through traffic and impassable between Bragmore Lane and Weepoint Resort; Springbrook Road was closed, Sunsite Estates Road was open for local traffic only while emergency repairs are underway.
In Gore Bay, Poplar Road and Ocean Point Road were closed due to washouts while South Bay Road was completely washed out in Wiikwemkoong and Thomas Bay Road and Park Avenue were also closed. Residents on South Bay Road were among those evacuated to the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre.
In Tehkummah, Michael’s Bay Road was closed from 142 Michael’s Bay Rd to Pennie Ave, along with the 15 Sideroad, 6 Conc Rd W and 10 Sideroad. Some Michael’s Bay residents were also being evacuated.
While Highway 6 to Espanola remained open, significant water was rushing over the road south of Willisville creating a significant hazard for unwary drivers. The Ministry of Transportation has put up signs warning of the flooding on the highway.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing administers the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) and Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) programs may provide financial assistance following sudden, unexpected natural disasters. The programs include: Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians that helps eligible individuals, small owner-operated businesses, farms and not-for-profit organizations cover emergency expenses and repair or replace essential property following a natural disaster. As well as the MDRA, which reimburses eligible municipalities for extraordinary costs associated with emergency response and repairs to essential property and infrastructure following a natural disaster. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has the authority to activate both the DRAO and the MDRA programs. As Mr. Williamson pointed out, emergency declaration under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act is not required for either program to be activated.
As the situation continues to develop, authorities are advising residents and travellers to remain cautious, to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary in flooded areas as water over the road can hide deep washouts or unstable ground; to not bypass barricades as driving on closed roads is dangerous and can result in a fine of approximately $110 in Ontario; and to monitor official updates—for the most recent status of provincial highways, check the Ontario 511 interactive map.
