2025 Ice Storm Update

Oro-Medonte was one of the hardest hit communities in Ontario resulting from the ice storm that took place in late March and early April.

Hydro One has indicated the spring ice storm, which impacted close to 1 million customers, is the most devastating and widespread damage Ontario has faced since the 1998 ice storm. The resulting damage is unlike anything experienced in years.

Yet, despite the insurmountable amount of damage, challenges, and difficult days and nights experienced by so many during this time, the Oro-Medonte community came together through support, kindness, and strength. Whether it was opening your home to those who were without power for extended periods of time, helping with property clean-up, or running errands, we supported each other.

Local Oro-Medonte businesses quickly extended helping hands while also managing the impacts of the ice storm. Horseshoe Resort partnered with the Township and opened its doors to establish a Warming Centre, which proved to be a place of great comfort and refuge for the community. The Warming Centre would not have been as comfortable as it was without the support and generosity of numerous organizations and community groups who stocked the Centre with water, food, blankets, and other supplies.

Odyssey Medical, another Oro-Medonte business, partnered with the Township and 211 to establish a 24/7 storm helpline, with information specifically for Oro-Medonte residents. Odyssey Medical also quickly established a Neighbours Helping Neighbours Program which connected residents in need with those who were able to help. Our deepest appreciation, gratitude, and thanks to everyone who provided unbelievable support and assistance throughout the duration of the ice storm and beyond.

A storm of this severity and widespread impact requires extensive specialized equipment, and crews for clean-up and recovery efforts, and vast amounts of time. The Township was required to bring in external contractors to assist with cleaning up the approximately 700 kms of roads and shoulders throughout Oro-Medonte. It was simply not possible for Township Operations department crews to manage the volume of fallen trees, branches, brush, and debris left behind on Township roads, shoulders, parks, and trails, without substantial assistance.

Township crews and external contractors have worked tirelessly with cleanup efforts, at times with over 50 crews combined, working daily to make roads, parks, and trails safe for use. In addition to external contractors, public works crews from the Town of Wasaga Beach, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Town of New Tecumseth, and the Town of Midland provided assistance. The Township is grateful for their rapid support and extremely hard work. Additionally, the County of Simcoe has assisted its member municipalities throughout this time, proving there is strength in numbers. The hardest hit communities have received support through extensive brush collection and drop off coordinated by the County of Simcoe, clearly demonstrating the essence of community support and the “Greater Good”. 

Oro-Medonte is a large Municipality covering an area of 61,000 hectares, with approximately 45% tree cover, over 300 acres of public parkland, and as previously mentioned, has approximately 700 km of roadway. All areas of the Township were impacted by the storm and required response of significant scale.

Forests managed by the County of Simcoe have suffered the most severe impacts in areas of Oro-Medonte, resulting from the ice storm. The higher level of damage in Oro-Medonte may be attributed to the elevation of the Oro Moraine; however, this is still to be determined.

In addition to managing clean-up efforts, the Township also had to address an increase in fire and emergency services response, community service needs, and increased requirements for the provision of safe drinking water.  

It is important to note and understand that although the Township has transitioned to the recovery phase of the ice storm, there is still a lot of work to be done, on top of the Township’s regular operations activities and projects (i.e. road sweeping, painting and patching, and opening and maintaining Township parks, sports fields, and trails etc.)

The total estimated costs associated with emergency response and recovery from the ice storm are approximately $6.5 million. Moving forward, the Township is pursuing financial assistance through the Province of Ontario’s Municipal Disaster Relief Assistance Program (MDRA) activated through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), and Hydro One’s Ice Storm Recovery Grant Program, to assist with offsetting costs. The Township received confirmation from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on April 14, 2025, that Minister Flack is committed to activating the MDRA Program for all qualifying municipalities, to provide financial assistance in accordance with guidelines of the program. The Township falls within the parameters and guidelines of the MDRA Program.

Additionally, the Township has requested a follow-up meeting with Hydro One to determine steps that can be put in place for potential future weather events of this calibre, to establish a more efficient and mutually beneficial working relationship. We have expressed the importance of updated and timely communication from Hydro One to their customers in circumstances where power interruptions occur for long durations of time.

The Township speaks for all when we express our heartfelt best wishes to those who suffered devastating damage and consequence. While the majority of us experienced inconvenient, short-term damage and even costly cleanup, there are those for whom the outcomes have been devastating. The community continues to stand with you, and will provide support to the best of its abilities. 

Through focused coordinated effort, everyone from the Township’s crucial operations crews, external contractors, assistance from neighbouring communities, Hydro One crews, Oro-Medonte residents, businesses, service clubs, and organizations, worked together during the darkest of times. Complete clean-up is far from over. However, collective efforts, patience, understanding, compassion, and support, has resulted in our community coming out of this historical event stronger and closer together.

To review a detailed update provided to Oro-Medonte Council on April 9, 2025 regarding the Township’s emergency response to the ice storm, please click here. 

To review a status update presentation regarding clean-up/recovery progress provided to Oro-Medonte Council on April 29, 2025, please click here. 

To review a staff report provided to Oro-Medonte Council on April 29, 2025 regarding anticipated expenses associated with the ice storm, please click here.