1) Ice storm freezes out Spring Into Clean event in Barrie

Courtesy Barrie 360.com and  News Release,

By City of Barrie, April 10, 2025

Cleanup and tree damage at the Sunnidale Park Arboretum in Barrie, Ont. nearly one week after an ice storm hit the region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Drost

The City of Barrie is postponing its annual Spring Into Clean event, originally scheduled for April 23 to 27, due to safety concerns caused by the recent ice storm. The storm caused significant damage to trees and public spaces, leaving debris that has made parks and other public areas unsafe for residents. To ensure the safety of all participants, the decision was made to prioritize storm debris cleanup before welcoming volunteers back into these spaces. City crews require additional time to clear debris from sidewalks/boulevards, parks, and other public areas to make sure they are safe for community involvement.

“I know residents look forward to Spring Into Clean each year as an opportunity to come together and tidy up our city after a long winter,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “While we’re disappointed to postpone the event, safety is paramount, and the cleanup right now must focus on storm damage. We look forward to better weather and much improved conditions in the future to hold this wonderful community event that brings residents together to help beautify our city.”

The City continues to urge residents to please stay out of trails and treed areas in City parks. As cleanup continues in the coming weeks, the City will continually assess the situation and will ensure public spaces are in a safe condition prior to announcing a new date for the Spring Into Clean.

To date, crews have been able to make a first pass of 50 percent of the city to collect debris at the curb. Crews will be making multiple passes across the city until everything is cleaned up.

Reminder: The City is waiving residential brush tipping fees at the landfill site until Friday, May 2, to support storm cleanup. The landfill is located at 272 Ferndale Drive North and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. 

The City is also extending depot hours at the landfill as follows:

• Saturday, April 12 – 8:30am to 6:30pm
• Sunday, April 13 – 8:30am to 3:30pm

Please visit www.barrie.ca/IceStorm for the most current information.

2) ‘Starting to get powered up,’ says Ramara Township mayor as flooding issues loom

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Will Konken, April 6, 2025

File photo of the ice storm – captured by Logan Wright

Updated April 6, 2025 @ 12:24pm

Following an ice storm that caused a mess throughout Central Ontario, Ramara Township Mayor Basil Clarke provided an update today on recovery efforts.

“We’ve got all roads open now, and “that was quite a holdup,” Clarke told Barrie 360. “But everything’s opened up that we can get emergency vehicles in and out.”

Officials posted around noon Sunday, after the initial release of this story, that Sheba Drive, from Airport Road to Bluebird Street, was closed due to flooding, with local and emergency services traffic only permitted.

While power restoration continues, Clarke estimates that “Probably 40 per cent of the township is starting to get powered up,” though coverage remains patchy as “One street will have power, the other one won’t,” he noted.

Hydro crews from across the country, including teams from Thunder Bay, Saskatchewan, and the East Coast, have joined the effort.

“It’s heartwarming when you talk to the guys and they’re here to help,” Clarke said. “They’re staying in hotels, away from their families. Some of my municipal staff still don’t have power, yet they’re coming to work every day trying to help out.”

The mayor praised the community’s response, pointing out examples of neighbors supporting one another.

“That’s what being Canadian is all about,” he said. “One gentleman and his wife brought in two elderly women who have been living with them since the start of this.”

Full power restoration remains uncertain and could stretch into mid-week.

“Tuesday night is what they figure,” Clarke said, referencing his own home in one of the township’s more remote areas.

“They’re making better time than even they anticipated, which is good. But people need to be prepared for the next couple of days.”

To support residents, warming centers remain open at the municipal office, with additional overnight accommodations available in Orillia.

More about the warming centres and other relief information can be found on the Ramara Storm Update page.

Compounding the township’s woes, a flood warning was issued Friday by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Ramara officials say residents in the Black River area, including Lake St. John, could be impacted.

“We’ve dropped some sand off and bags for people to bag their own sand in areas prone to flooding,” said Clarke. “Hopefully, as long as we don’t get any more rain, that water will start to come down.”

There are seven designated self-serve locations:

• Bluebird Street Boat Launch
• Bluebird Street Cul-de-sac
• Davy Drive Cul-de-sac
• East River Road Cul-de-sac
• Ethel Drive
• Island Crescent Cul-de-sac
• Municipal Yard 3, located at 7305 County Rd. 169

Each location has sand and burlap bags available. They say to bring your own shovel to fill the bags and take them away, as delivery is not available. They add that residents are responsible for disposing of the sandbags. 

“Please be patient. I know you’re struggling. Check on your neighbors and reach out. Call us at 705-484-5374 or call or text 211 for information and support.”

For more information, visit the Ramara Storm Update page, or the Ice Storm Update and click on your city or township.

3) Tens of thousands still without power in Ontario after pair of storms [Day 7 of power outage]

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff,April 5, 2025

Officials in southern Ontario believe prolonged power outages could last well into next week after a spring storm caused heavy damage.

Provincial utility provider Hydro One says more than 107,000 customers are still without power as of Saturday morning, with 3,900 crews working to get the power back on.

The ice storm caused severe damage last weekend in cities like Orillia, which has turned its recreation centre into a relief station where residents can access essentials and charge their devices.

Another storm system also passed through the province earlier this week and caused more outages, slowing down restoration work.

Hydro One says restoration efforts are set to last through the week, though it could take longer in rural areas.

Premier Doug Ford says crews from across Canada are in Ontario working with provincial crews to get people’s power restored.

For ice storm updates in communities around the region, click here.

– With files from Barrie 360

4) Ice Storm Updates

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Newsroom, April 6, 2025

The recent ice storm has caused widespread power outages and significant damage across Ontario. Communities are working diligently to restore power and assess the aftermath of the storm.

Municipal Updates | Power Updates | Cancellations and Closures | Relief Centres | Need Help?

Municipal updates

Below is a list of articles updates that have been provided by the municipalities across Simcoe County and Muskoka:

• Barrie
• Bracebridge
• County of Simcoe
• Innisfil
• Midland
• Muskoka
• Orillia
• Oro Medonte
• Ramara
• Severn
• Springwater
• Tiny

Please click on the links above for the latest updates on your area. We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available from each municipality.

Power updates

Please do not call police for power updates … they need to keep their lines open for emergencies.

Below is the most current information we have received from each of the hydro companies.

• Alectra: All power has been restored in Barrie
• InnPower: All power has now been restored in Innisfil in the area of Big Bay Point and 20th Sideroad. If you are still without power, please call 705-431-4321 or report it through our website/social media.
• Elexicon:500 customers in Gravenhurst without power. The goal is to have the majority of customers hooked up by 10 p.m. Sunday, weather permitting, while restoration efforts for island customers will continue into the week of April 7
• Lakeland Power: All power restored.
• NT Power: This past week’s spring ice storm caused widespread outages across Ontario. We’re relieved to announce all power has been restored.
• Hydro One: Power has been restored to 85 per cent of nearly a million affected customers. To date, crews have identified 2,200 broken poles and say 74,805 customers are still without power. In areas serviced by Hydro One like Orillia, parts of Simcoe County and Muskoka, estimated power restoration is this weekend for some, but some customers in hard-hit areas like Orillia, Ramara, restoration may not be until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Cancellations and closures

Cancellations and closures can be found here including details about schools closed with the Simcoe County District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, and Trillium Lakelands District School Board.

Need A Hand?

• The Hitch House (Highway 11, Shanty Bay) is providing potable water to the public during regular business hours.

Relief centres

Please note, this information is subject to change regularly.

Barrie

Allendale Rec Centre: 190 Bayview Dr., Barrie

Orillia

Orillia Recreation Centre: 255 West St. South, Orillia

Midland

Please visit either location listed below to warm up (bring your own blankets & refreshments), charge electronic devices (bring your own charging cables & blocks), and fill up your personal water bottles.

North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre: 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
(open Monday from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

Town Hall: 575 Dominion Ave., Midland
(open Monday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Severn

Residents can use charging stations, restrooms, and have warm drinks.

Washago Community Centre: 4361 Hamilton St., Washago
(open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
For status and details visit severn.ca/notices

Tay

Township of Tay: 450 Park St., Victoria Harbour

Tiny

Washrooms and power for charging cell phone devices (please bring your own charger) are available at:

Wyebridge Community Centre: 8340 Highway 93
(Open April 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)

Township of Tiny Office: 130 Balm Beach Road West
(Open April 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Penetanguishene

 Residents can warm up (bring your own blankets/refreshments), charge electronics (bring your own charging cables and blocks), and fill personal water bottles.

Memorial Community Centre: 61 Maria St., Penetanguishene
(Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Townhall: 10 Robert St. W., Penetanguishene
(Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Please note, this location has limited capacity

Oro-Medonte

Horseshoe Resort: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd. W., Oro-Medonte
(Open from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

Clearview

New Lowell Joint Operations Centre: 5212 County Road 9, New Lowell
(Open March 31 to April 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Station 5 (Singhampton): 794055 County Road 124, Singhampton
(Open March 31 to April 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Springwater

The Administration Centre is operating with reduced staffing levels. It is recommended to call ahead or visit www.springwater.ca/Contact to ensure service requested is available.

Administration Centre: 2231 Nursery Rd., Minesing
(Open 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Priority is given to those with medical needs. Service dogs are welcome. Bring your own chargers and reusable water bottles. Please sign in with staff upon arrival.

Ramara

Residents are able to charge their devices, use the public facilities, and get warm

Township Administration Building: 2297 Highway 12, Beaverton
(Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Beausoleil First Nation

Emergency power has been re-established at the Recreation Centre and will now serve as the warming centre. Shower facilities are also available at the Recreation Centre.

Recreation Centre: 11 Ogemaa Miikaan, Christian Island

The Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Community Members can visit the MASK to stay warm or charge essential devices. Should hydro not be restored, the MASK will be open beyond regular hours as a designated emergency shelter.

MASK: 6145 Rama Rd, Orillia