Downtown Huntsville businesses forced to close amid rising waters
The continued rain and melting snow have caused an increase in water levels in Muskoka, leading to floods in several areas of Huntsville, forcing some downtown business owners to shut their doors.
The dangerously rising water levels have also caused road closures.
While the rise in waters in some areas has stalled, it continues to rise slowly in other areas.
Sandbags are placed to try and keep the rising water at bay in Huntsville, Ont., on Mon., April 17, 2023. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
- RELATED | Unseasonably warm conditions create flooding in Muskoka
- RELATED | Flooding concerns in Muskoka as region remains under flood watch
Emergency crews continue to monitor water levels and ask residents to stay away from all flooded areas on foot or in a vehicle.
"Stay off the waterway. There's a lot of debris out there. If you're out there in your boat, you're causing issues to the shorelines, so we ask people not to go out in the boats and check out the flooding as well because it is causing issues," said Huntsville and Lake of Bays Fire Chief Gary Monahan.
Mayor Nancy Alcock urged the community to work together, saying, "We have neighbourhoods that are really, really adapted, saying, 'Okay, this is what we need to do.' One, they look out for each other, and two, they help each other out with sandbags."
Several downtown businesses deal with flooding in Huntsville, Ont., on Mon., April 17, 2023. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
However, there are concerns that the situation could worsen before it improves.
But the town hasn't declared a state of emergency.
"This is a broader community, Muskoka, that went through devastating floods in 2019. There's been a lot of work done since then to be prepared for this," pointed out District Municipality of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman.
Rising waters near a dock in Huntsville, Ont., on Mon., April 17, 2023. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
The community effort to fight the floods has involved communication, sandbags, and road closures.
The district is also taking measures to manage the rising water levels and ensure residents' safety.
"We obviously want to protect those drinking water systems carefully. Make sure the sewer systems are not overwhelmed by infiltration of stormwater, and then just maintain the roads whether they've got water on them or culvert washouts. Just try to keep people safe," Lehman added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Trudeau says he thinks Trump is using talk of Canada becoming 51st state to distract from tariff impact
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he thinks U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is drumming up drama on Canadian statehood to detract from tariff talks.
Thousands of structures destroyed in L.A. County's most destructive fire
A series of wildfires tore through densely populated parts of the Los Angeles, Calif. area. Five people have been reported dead. U.S. Gov. Gavin Newsom said thousands of resources have been deployed to contain the fires.
BREAKING U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
A divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's bid to delay his sentencing in his hush money case in New York.
Ex-Trump adviser says Canada in 'difficult position' amid tariff threat, Trudeau resignation
In the face of a potential tariff war, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton says 'Canada is in a difficult position' in part due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation and a looming general election.
Is the Hollywood sign on fire?
As fires scorch Los Angeles, fake images and videos of a burning Hollywood sign have circulated on social media.
Canadian travellers now require an ETA to enter U.K. Here's what to know
Starting Jan. 8, Canadians visiting the U.K. for short trips will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding their flight, according to regulations set out by the U.K. government.
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
Poilievre says the next Canadian election will be about the carbon price
Pierre Poilievre returned to Ottawa on Thursday after the holidays with a familiar demand for Justin Trudeau: call a carbon-tax election.
More than 150 students sick at University of Guelph, says public health
More than 150 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the University of Guelph.