Gravenhurst ice storm update – April 4, 2025

Here is today’s update from the Town of Gravenhurst.

Statement from Mayor Heidi Lorenz 

Mayor Heidi Lorenz issued a statement earlier today thanking everyone who has helped in the aftermath of the recent ice storm. 

Find the statement on the town website. 

Gravenhurst Fire Department checking on residents 

The Gravenhurst Fire Department continues to check on residents to ensure they are managing.

Firefighters have access to supplies, including food and water for residents they find in need. 

Fresh drinking water

A list of municipal public water taps is available on the District of Muskoka website for residents looking to fill their own containers.

The latest from the District of Muskoka

The District of Muskoka’s state of emergency declaration remains in place. 

The district has an ice storm assistance phone line that people can call. 

People experiencing challenges due to the recent ice storm can contact the district at 705-645-2100, ext. 4500 or e-mail icestorm@muskoka.on.ca.

The district has boxes of food available for residents in need. Contact the district to arrange this service. 

To help with the recovery, the district is accepting brush and chippable wood free of charge at most transfer stations (excluding Ridout, Sinclair, and McLean due to space).

This service at the transfer stations will continue for at least the next 30 days, district council decided earlier today. 

District council also struck a working group today to look at the collection, management, and disposal of waste from the ice storm. 

Visit the district website to learn more.

Significant Weather Event

The town declared a significant weather event Saturday, prior to the worst of the storm, and this remains in place. 

Parks, trails, cemeteries closed

A reminder that due to extensive tree damage caused by the recent ice storm and for related public safety reasons, the town has closed its parks, trails, and cemeteries. 

See the full list on our website.

These amenities will remain closed until further notice. 

The town must coordinate cleanup and further assess damage. 

Watch our website and social media channels for updates. 

The cleanup

Town staff continue to remove trees that have fallen on roads and road allowances. 

In some instances, trees remain across roads because of nearby downed power lines that must be dealt with first. 

Power restoration

Elexicon and Hydro One crews continue to restore power. 

Elexicon said this morning that just over 1,000 customers remain without power. They hope to see that number dwindle to less than 500 customers by Saturday night. 

For power outage information, see the Elexicon Outage Map or the Hydro One Outage Map.

The next few days - weather

Cloudy with rain on Saturday. High of 7C.

Mix of sun and cloud Sunday. Chance of rain. High of 4C. 

See Environment Canada – Gravenhurst for details.

Flood Warning bulletin

The Ministry of Natural Resources has a Flood Warning bulletin in effect for the Black, Burnt, Muskoka, and Severn River watersheds in the District until Friday, April 11, 2025.

The Flood Warning bulletin is available on our website.

Warming centre – Centennial Centre

A warming centre is available at the Centennial Centre, 101 Centennial Dr. 

People are welcome to stop by, warm up, charge devices, and use the washrooms. 

Showers are also available. People should bring their own shower gear, including towels. 

The centre, set up in the lobby, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. until further notice. 

Warming centre – Ryde Centennial Free Methodist Church

A daytime warming centre is available at the Ryde Centennial Free Methodist Church, 1667 Housey’s Rapids Rd.

People are welcome to stop by, warm up, charges devices, and use the washrooms. 

Storm resource directory 

The town has a storm resource directory available on its website.

The directory contains a variety of information to help people with recovery. 

This includes information about food safety following power outages, plus things to keep in mind regarding safe power restoration, along with details for how to care for trees following an ice storm. 

Check on neighbours

The town is asking people to check on their neighbours and vulnerable people in the community to ensure they are managing.