Storm Update for April 15, 2025

Kawartha Lakes - As the power has been restored to the vast majority of homes in Kawartha Lakes and all municipal infrastructure, Mayor Elmslie has rescinded the State of Emergency declaration, effective today.

“We’ve weathered the worst of the storm impact, and now that power is restored, we have lifted the State of Emergency. We’re heading into the clean-up phase, which will take some time. I understand residents are still in clean-up mode around their properties, and some seasonal residents haven’t been able to get to their properties yet. That’s why we’re extending free brush debris drop off at landfills until May 4. We’re also rolling out a full brush collection schedule. Watch for details coming out on that very soon,” commented Mayor Elmslie.

Key updates:

• Mayor rescinds State of Emergency.
• The Declaration of a Significant Weather Event was lifted on April 14.
• Hydro One confirms that 99.9% of all customers have power restored in the greater Kawartha Lakes area.
• Residents without power are reminded to contact Hydro One directly by calling 1-800-434-1235 or online at https://hydroone.ifactornotifi.com/ui/m/outage-reporting.
• Community facilities are operating as normal and residents requiring a warm room, charging or shower access may visit facilities as needed during open hours.
• Food waste bins remain available at Fenelon Falls Community Centre and Coboconk Service Centre until April 20.
• Unlimited debris dropoff at landfills is free of charge until May 4.
• Localized flooding is imminent in flood prone areas. Please exercise caution around all rivers, streams and lakes. See current flood outlook messaging:
• Kawartha Conservation has extended their Flood Warning until noon on Thursday April 17.
• Flood Watch is in effect in the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District for portions of the District Municipality of Muskoka and County of Haliburton for the Black, Gull and Muskoka River Watersheds.
• Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook is in effect in the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District for the portions of the County of Haliburton and Territorial District of Parry Sound for the Boyne, Burnt, French, Magnetawan, Pickerel and Seguin River Watersheds.
• A municipal Burn Ban remains in effect for the month of April. Grass fires can catch quickly and pose a significant hazard at this time of year; avoidable fire response calls have already been registered this season.

What’s Open and Closed

Landfills

All landfills open regular winter hours:

Eldon: Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 11am to 5pm

Laxton: Thursday 11am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm

Lindsay Ops: Monday to Saturday* 8am to 5pm

Somerville: Monday, Friday* and Saturday 9am to 5pm

*Note: All landfills are closed on Friday April 18 for Good Friday

Waste Bins for Food Dropoff

Those that wish to drop off your spoiled food waste ahead of regularly scheduled collections can do so at the below locations:

• Coboconk Service Centre, 8:30 am to 4:30pm
• Fenelon Falls Community Centre, 8:30 am to 4:30pm

The spoiled food bins will be removed on April 20, 2025.

Waste and Recycling

• Missed collection: If your collection was missed due to road accessibility for the past two collection cycles, triple collection (six bags) is permitted the week of April 14. For questions, please call Miller Waste at 1-888-557-4711 or contact the City’s Customer Service line at 705-324-9411.
• Organics: Friday April 18 is Good Friday, organics will not be picked up on Good Friday. Organics collection moves to Saturday April 19 this week. Please remove packaging from spoiled food before placing it in your organics rollout cart.
• Storm debris: Waived tipping fees will end at the close of landfills on May 4, with regular tipping fees applying as of May 5. Regular leaf and yard debris that weighs under 250kg remains free of charge.

Storm debris cleanup by the municipality

Key Details

• What will be removed: Storm tree branches and brush debris only.
• Schedule: Please have all applicable material curbside for pickup no later than April 20, 2024.
• What will not be removed: Regular leaf and yard waste will be left behind. Put leaves, twigs and small debris in leaf bags and hold on to them until your next curbside Leaf and Yard collection in June.

Preparation Instructions

• Branches and debris, too big for regular leaf and yard waste collection, should be stacked at the curb.
• Tree branches, limbs, logs, etc. should not exceed 8 inches in diameter.
• Place storm debris in small piles at the edge of the sidewalk or roadside, ensuring the material is not obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
• Do not obstruct, block or cover utility boxes, or fire hydrants.
• Place cut or broken ends facing out towards the street. Please ensure debris doesn’t stick out into the street.
• Only storm-related brush will be accepted. Leaf and yard bags and regular debris will be left behind.

Urban Area Clean-up

Schedule (subject to change):

1. Zone 1 – South East: Bethany, Downeyville, Omemee, Pontypool, Reaboro and Janetville starts the week of April 21.
2. Zone 2 – South West: Cambray, Cresswell, Little Britain, Manilla, Oakwood and Sonya starts the week of April 21.
3. Zone 3 – Lindsay: Lindsay starts the week of April 21.
4. Zone 4 – North East: Bobcaygeon starts week of April 28. Dunsford, Fenelon Falls and Kinmount starts the week of May 5.
5. Zone 5 – North West: Kirkfield, Lorneville, Woodville starts the week of April 28. Norland, Coboconk and Cameron starts the week of May 5.

Collection will begin on Monday April 21 in the areas listed in Zone 1, 2, and 3 above.

Residents should have their debris stacked and ready for pick up starting Monday April 21. Exact days have not been determined for each area as it is unknown how long it will take to complete each zone.

Collection for storm debris will only occur once in each area – be sure to have your debris curbside early, so you don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the program.

Rural area clean-up will begin the week of April 28 or May 5, to be announced shortly.

Libraries

As of noon on Monday April 14, 2025 all library branches are open for their regular hours with the exception of the Dalton branch. Please check the Kawartha Lakes Public Library website for hours and open locations.

All libraries will be closed on Good Friday (April 18).

Parks and Recreation

Parks use - please use all parks at your own risk. We are working on storm cleanup across all parks, however, hanging branches post a threat in some locations.

All programming and bookings are running as usual.

CLOSED: Boat Launches – all boat launches remain closed.

CLOSED: Victoria Rail Trail (VRT) and all forest tracts are closed to motorized and non-motorized traffic until further notice for public safety.

Burn Ban

Burn Ban in Effect – April: No open fires. Brush can be taken to Lindsay Landfill or burned (with permit) in May.
Learn more about burn permits

Flood Preparedness

• Kawartha Conservation has extended their Flood Warning until noon on Thursday April 17.
• Flood Watch is in effect in the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District for portions of the District Municipality of Muskoka and County of Haliburton for the Black, Gull and Muskoka River Watersheds.
• Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook is in effect in the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District for the portions of the County of Haliburton and Territorial District of Parry Sound for the Boyne, Burnt, French, Magnetawan, Pickerel and Seguin River Watersheds.

Fill-Your-Own Sandbags

• Ward Park (Norland)
• Dalton Community Centre (Sebright)
• Chisholm Trail (near Amon Drive)
• Burnt River Community Centre

Contact and Reporting Info

Customer Service

Monday to Friday: 8:30am–4:30pm (705-324-9411 or 1-888-822-2225) Press 5 for Storm Updates

After hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337

Online issue reporting

Stay Informed

• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies
• Kawartha Lakes Police (Lindsay/Ops): 705-324-5252 (non-emergency)
• OPP (outside Lindsay/Ops): 1-888-310-1122
• Property damage? Contact your insurance company
• Website: www.kawarthalakes.ca/stormupdates
• Radio: Bounce 91.9 FM, Country 105.1 FM
• Social: Facebook, X (Twitter)
• Handouts at local stores, warming rooms, libraries and more
• Road closures: www.municipal511.ca
• Sign up for municipal alerts via Jump Inbox: www.kawarthalakes.ca/subscribe

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