The Ministry of Natural Resources has continued a flood warning for Parry Sound - Muskoka which includes the Big East River that runs through Huntsville.

But Mayor Claude Doughty says Mother Nature has helped them out.

“The cold weather has really seized things up and our flow rates which had been going up aggressively on the Big East River really started to drop off. Sooner or later you got to get lucky.”

Doughty says last year Mother Nature worked against Huntsville – flooding homes and the downtown core. Greg Goulter of Algonquin Outfitters remembers it well.

“It was close to knee deep water in the basement – we had gas water pumps going twenty-four seven.”

Goulter even kept track of how high the water was last year by dating the walls. This year he says they are ready.

“We’ve got water pumps ready, we checked all the sump pumps and I think we’re aware. Last year caught us off guard – how quickly it went from safe to unsafe.”

The Town of Huntsville was better prepared this year too – investing in a dyke system and warning residents of the dangers of rising water.

Many residents are optimistic that this is the worst of the flooding.  That would be good news for businesses like the Cottage Waterfront Grill. Last year many referred to it as the Cottage Underwater Grill. The restaurant is spend thousands of dollars renovating for its 20th anniversary May long weekend and they don’t want to renovate twice.

Cool overnight temperatures are expected in the Huntsville area and that should help slow down the rise of the Big East River.

As of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday the following road is closed:

  • Old North Road

Residents living in flood areas need to monitor water conditions. To get more information from the Town of Huntsville click here.