State of Emergency continues for parts of Manitoulin, flood warnings, watches around northeastern Ontario

• Ontario Provincial Police say several communities on Manitoulin Island have declared a state of emergency, including the Township of Assiginack, the Township of Billings, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin, the Municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island and Tehkummah Township.
• Municipality of Central Manitoulin on social media is asking volunteers to help fill sandbags.
• According to Ontario 511, several roads are closed in northeastern Ontario due to flooding, including Highways 810 and 553 north of Massey, Secord Road South, south of Sudbury, Elbow Lake Road in Burwash, Nepewassi Lake Road in Estaire and Highway 533 between Mattawa.
• The Ministry of Natural Resources and local conservation authorities have issued flood warnings or watches for several areas, including flood warnings for Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River, Sudbury, North Bay and Mattawa.
• Other areas in the region, including the Far North, have a flood outlook advisory in place. The Timmins and Kirkland Lake areas are under a water safety statement.

On Manitoulin Island, several communities remain under a State of Emergency due to flooding, and communities elsewhere across northeastern Ontario are coping with rising water levels as a large part of the region remains under a flood warning or watch.

The advisories have been put in place by the Ministry of Natural Resources and local conservation authorities.

Basements flooded in Coniston area of Greater Sudbury, Ont.

Jason Bresolin, a resident in the Coniston area of Greater Sudbury, says he and his neighbours have been dealing with flooding along their street. He says he got more than 15 centimetres of water in his basement.

On Tuesday, Conservation Sudbury issued a flood warning for all watercourses and major rivers in Greater Sudbury.

“Residents living in all flood prone areas should prepare accordingly,” the warning said.

Conservation Sudbury general manager Carl Jorgensen said a significant winter storm in March added to the snowpack in the region.

“Compared to the past, we’re at about double the amount of water equivalent that’s locked up in that snowpack that’s now melting,” he said.

He added that many of the headwaters for the river systems that run through the city are to the north, where the snow hasn’t melted as rapidly.

Jorgensen said he expects flooding in Greater Sudbury this week to surpass high water levels from 2023.

“We’re seeing water levels continuing to rise,” he said.

Environment Canada is predicting temperatures above freezing for several areas in the region in the coming days.

“Conservation Sudbury remains in direct contact with the City of Greater Sudbury and all other partners as required,” the authority stated.

“Staff continue to monitor water levels and updates will be provided when needed.”

Mall parking lot underwater in North Bay

In North Bay, parts of Fisher Street — one of the city’s main arterial roads — were completely submerged yesterday.

The Northgate Shopping Centre’s parking lot was also underwater, drawing lots of attention online as people were pictured canoeing around vehicles and streetlights.

“It did cause some significant disruptions,” said Donna Backer, the CEO with the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce. “When floods happen, it disrupts business because people can’t get there.”

“This was one of the worst it’s been.”

But on Wednesday, many of the businesses that were forced to close on Tuesday have reopened again as most of the previously flooded streets are now clear.

“Traffic seems to be flowing again,” Backer said. “I drove on Fisher Street today, and while it looks like there’s some debris on the road — it is open.”

North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico noted a North Bay Battalion hockey game at the Memorial Gardens arena had to be rescheduled due to the flooding.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen a rain delay for a hockey game in my life,” Chirico said.

North Bay resident Jennifer Martel, said the basement in her home on Wyld Street was flooded to the ceiling.

“Yesterday was the worst day I could ever imagine,” she said. “Like within an hour my house was completely surrounded by water.”

Martel said she had antiques from her grandparents and “one-of-a-kind” books in her basement that were likely destroyed.

“I’ll just have to keep the memories that I have in my head. I can’t just look at them no more,” she said.

The City of North Bay said rain is in the forecast over the coming days and that city staff will continue to monitor conditions in the community.

“Residents with concerns about their properties are encouraged to take precautionary steps to protect their homes, including checking sump pumps, clearing drains, and moving valuables to higher ground,” a city release said.