BARRIE

State of emergency continues in Minden as residents cope with flooding

CTV Barrie Published Monday, May 8, 2017 4:20PM EDT Last Updated Monday, May 8, 2017 6:55PM EDT

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A state of emergency continues in Minden Hills, as water levels rose again overnight.

At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Reeve Brent Devolin said that flood waters rose by two centimetres, which is less than expected.

Devolin has also been in contact with Premier Kathleen Wynne, who said the province is ready to help if they need it. Volunteers are also converging on the township to help residents.

Several roads in the township remain closed because of high water levels and several homes have been impacted. Officials believe water levels in the Gull River could hit the same levels they did in 2013.

As for the Burnt River, officials expect it to crest and level off by the end of the day.

The state of emergency was issued over the weekend after days of heavy rain in central Ontario.

Residents living in flood affected areas are asked to secure any loose items and to run any sump pumps they may have.

People needing sandbags can pick them up through Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the S.G Nesbitt Community Centre.

Meanwhile, Ramara Township has decided to not issue a state of emergency. In a news release on Monday, township officials say they expect water levels to drop in the Black River.

This decision means the township will not supply sandbags for free to residents. Several people have criticized the townships decision to not provide sandbags this year.

With the way the current forecast looks, officials believe the river will stop topping the dam by mid-week.

However, flows down the Severn River are expected to remain high because of levels in Lake Simcoe.

People living along the Severn River say flows on Friday were the highest they have been in nine years. Residents have been sandbagging over the last couple days to try and deal with water levels.

“It should fall pretty soon. Over the last 50 years that I have been here I don’t think it will go any higher, I think it has peaked and will go down now,” says resident Jim Leworthy.

A flood watch issued by the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has been downgraded to a flood outlook. They say no rainfall is currently in the forecast.

In Muskoka, some minor flooding has closed a few roads, but aside from that, water levels are holding.

How much rain did we get?

Environment Canada has compiled rainfall totals from across the region, and Orillia received the most.

According to the weather office, the Sunshine City received 68 millimetres of rain between Thursday and Saturday night.

Barrie received 42.3 millimetres, Collingwood got 40.5 millimetres, CFB Borden 34.5 millimetres and Muskoka airport tallied 36.6 millimetres.

A look at road closures

Minden Hills: