Flood 2019

For flood recovery assistance including financial donations please see the Disaster Recovery Assistance page.

To ensure safety when re-entering your property/dwellings/structures after the flood follow the safety instructions from the Electrical Safety Authority available on their website.

If power has been disconnected to your property, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) will be required to inspect the property prior to hydro being restored.  

Please NOTE: Any electrical devices, plugs, heaters, furnaces, pumps have been flooded, will require an electrician to service it before the inspector is called.  To find a licensed electrical contractor, search the ESA website.

Visit the ESA website for tips to prepare to have your power restored.  Please call for an inspection when you are ready to have power restored Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) 1-877-372-7233.  

During and after a power outage or flood it is important to consider the safety of your food and water to protect against any food or waterborne illnesses.  Visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for information to ensure that you are safet after a flood.

After a flood, it’s important to restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect your health and prevent further damage to your house and belongings. In an emergency situation, the indoor air quality in your home may appear to be the least of your problems.

However, failure to remove standing water or water damaged materials can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials will allow viruses, bacteria, and mould to grow. These organisms can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

Resources

Health Canada - Flood Clean-Up Addressing Indoor Air Quality (html), (pdf)

Health Canada - Addressing Moisture and Mould in Your Home (html), (pdf) 

Once water has receded, staff in the Building Service Branch are available to inspect properties that have been affected by flooding on request.

Please contact 705-645-6319 Ext. 236 and leave a message as to your property address, nature of your issue (septic or structure) and when someone would be available on site to meet staff.  

Building Permits

Generally, building permits are required to: 

1. Undertake any structural changes, alteration or repair to a building;
2. Repair or replace a septic tank or filter bed;
3. Any changes or additional plumbing;
4. Additions to a building; and
5. Any structure greater than 10 square meters.

Has your septic system been affected by flooding?

It is recommended that if your septic system has been flooded that the septic tank be pumped.

If you do have the tank pumped please provide a copy of the receipt to the town so it can put in the property file for our records.

If there is any erosion of the filter bed this is required to be repaired and seeded; please contact the Building Services Branch for an inspection.

Has your dock and/or boathouse been affected by flooding?

A building permit may not be required to replace an existing dock if there is proof that a dock existed legally prior to the flood.  

• If the Town does not have any record of a dock on the property, you will be required to provide proof of the dock, the size of dock and location prior to undertaking any repairs or restoration.
• If the dock was supported by cribs, and the cribs have been damaged beyond repair, the dock would be required to be supported by piles or floating.  Cribs are not permitted to be used on the river

A building permit may not be required to repair an existing boathouse unless there has been structural damage to the boathouse that has been affected by the flooding.

Do you have questions about permits required after a flood?

If you have any questions regarding buildings or a septic system that has been affected by flooding please contact the Town of Bracebridge Building Services Branch of the Planning and Development Department. 705-645-6319 ext. 236.

Town of Bracebridge road conditions: Road Status Update

District of Muskoka road conditions: District Road Closures and Delays  

To assist Bracebridge property owners with clean-up resulting from the 2019 flood emergency, the Town will be issuing one (1) Waste Disposal Voucher per property to provide no-charge disposal of flood damaged waste at the Rosewarne Transfer Station during operating hours.  The voucher is valid to dispose of up to one half-ton and single-axle trailer load (or equivalent) of flood-related debris.

Vouchers for solid waste disposal are available to Town of Bracebridge property owners that:

• Have solid waste generated by the 2019 flood in the Town of Bracebridge;
• Do not have insurance coverage that would compensate them for solid waste disposal costs related to the 2019 flood in the Town of Bracebridge; and
• Require the Town’s financial assistance to address waste disposal costs resulting from the 2019 flood in the Town of Bracebridge.

* Proof of ownership is required.

Voucher Pick-Up:

Eligible individuals can get their voucher (one per property only) as follows:

Location:          Town of Bracebridge Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court, Bracebridge

Dates/Times:    Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (statutory holidays excepted)

                        Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

                        Details of additional extended hours will be provided as they become available.

Disposal Information:

Vouchers can be used at the following location:

Location:          Rosewarne Transfer Station, 1062 Rosewarne Drive, Bracebridge

Dates/Times:    Extended hours available until May 31, 2019

                        Monday to Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

                        Saturdays and Sundays – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone:             705-645-6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

Bracebridge property owners who demonstrate need, will have until July 2, 2019, to utilize the voucher.

Hazardous waste material, motorized vehicles and/or auto parts and tires are not accepted using the voucher.

Sandbags:

The District of Muskoka advises that filled sandbags can be dropped off at the Rosewarne Transfer Station during operating hours, at no cost – no voucher required (note:  sandbags are not recyclable).

Waste Management Information Bulletin

A Drinking Water Advisory has been issued by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for the affected areas remains in place. Residents are advised that properties in flooded areas using well water should assume the water is not potable. Municipal water sources are not affected by this advisory.

A complete list of Municipal water sources available through the District of Muskoka is available by following this link: Public Water Taps/Source Locations.

For more information from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit please visit their Flood Information page.