Update – State of Emergency – Downtown Minden Bridges Closing on April 17th at 7pm             Go to  www.mindenhills.ca/news for Flood updates and information

      Self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Minden Curling Club Parking Lot, located at 50 Prentice St., Minden. A second location for self-serve sand and sandbags is set-up at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parking lot at 7 Bobcaygeon Rd.     An Evacuation Centre has been set up at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena/Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden)       

   

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Update #7 of Emergency Flooding – April 18

For Immediate Release

Minden, Ontario
April 18, 2026
1:30 PM
Release # 26-35

Subject: Update #7 State of Emergency Flooding 2026 on April 18, 2026

The Township of Minden Hills remains in a State of Emergency in response to the flood conditions and the escalating impacts to our community and infrastructure. Thank you to all the volunteers, the Province, County of Haliburton and our neighbouring municipalities, Haliburton Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, Global Medic, Ontario Corps who are helping our community through this flooding event. As well, the many people and businesses who are donating to help their neighbours during this crisis.

Bobcaygeon Road Rebuild – Road is Open

The washout on Bobcaygeon Road has been repaired and that section of road is now reopened. Weight restrictions are in effect for this area of road with no vehicles over 5 tonnes (Emergency Service Vehicles are exempt) allowed. Providing another detour route for access.

Bridge Closures

Bridges in downtown Minden remain closed this includes the Sunnybrook Bridge (Bobcaygeon Road vehicle and pedestrian bridge) and the Loggers Footbridge (pedestrian bridge near Canadian Tire). These bridges will remain closed until further notice.

Detour 1 Deep Bay Road

Detour details:

From Minden - Bobcaygeon Road to Deep Bay Road to Highway 35

To Minden - Highway 35 to Bobcaygeon Road

Detour 2 Scotch Line Road

Detour details:

Highway 35 to Scotch Line Road

Scotch Line Road to Bobcaygeon Road

Evacuation Centre at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena / Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden) is Open

The Evacuation Centre is open for members of the community that need to leave home due to the flooding. Amenities available at the Evacuation Centre include: light refreshments, snacks, water filling station, shower facilities, sleeping area, charging stations for medical devices and phones (be sure to bring your charging cables, blanket and pillow, personal hygiene amenities along with towels/face clothes). Area community groups will be donating meals to the evacuation centre.

Access to the Evacuation Centre at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena / Community Centre, please see the above noted detours via Deep Bay Road or Scotch Line Road.

The Haliburton County Paramedics will have Community Paramedic available at the Evacuation Centre as needed.

This facility will be open 24 hours a day until evacuation conditions are lifted. Please note that no pets are permitted at the facility for safety and due to space limitations.

Resources Available:

  • If there is immediate danger at any time, call 911.
  • Anyone needing assistance with evacuation should contact the municipality during business hours via email. If there is an emergency, contact 911.
  • Call 988 for Mental Health Assistance available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
  • Call 811 for Non-Urgent Medical Assistance – connect with a Registered Nurse Day or Night.

Self-Serve Sand and Sandbags

To date there have been 23,000+ sandbags filled and picked up in the community. The Province has delivered an additional 20,000 bags with more on order. We thank all the staff and volunteers who continue to help fill sandbags. The Province of Ontario has arranged Global Medic and Ontario Corps who are here and there teams are filling sandbags.

Minden – Two Locations:

Self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Minden Curling Club Parking Lot, located at 50 Prentice St., Minden.

A second location for self-serve sand and sandbags is set-up at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parking lot at 7 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden.

These are self-serve, please remember to bring a shovel. There will be some filled sandbags available on a first come, first served basis at these locations.

Irondale:

Self-serve sand and sandbags are available at the Irondale Community Centre (1004 Line Drive Road, Irondale). This resource is self-serve, please remember to bring a shovel.

Residents are encouraged to think of their neighbours, don’t forget about those around you that may have difficulty with this task.

Volunteers:

The Haliburton Chamber of Commerce is generously assisting to help organize volunteers. If looking to volunteer during this State of Emergency, kindly contact Amanda Conn at email.

Road Conditions:

Township Roads continue to be impacted by rising water levels including washouts, water over the roadway, and ponding. There are several road closures and roads with restricted access noted below. Township staff continue to monitor roadways and will provide ongoing updates:

Roads Closed

  • Anson Street at McKnight - Closed to through traffic, Local traffic only
  • Buller Road at Clear Lake Road
  • Invergordon Avenue - Closed, access is open through the back entrance of S.G. Nesbit Memorial Arena
  • Milburn Road – Bridge Closed – No Access
  • St. Germaine Street from Prince Street to Water Street
  • Upper Dutch Line Road - Closed to all traffic
  • Voicey Road from Blairhampton Road to Tulip Road.

Restricted Access

  • Bacon Road – Water over the road.
  • Bethel Road - Water over the road near Horseshoe Lake Road and County Road 21
  • Denna Lake Road - Water over the road, use caution - Local Traffic Only
  • Devil’s Lake Road - Water over the road, reduced to one lane
  • Hospitality Road - Water over the road, Local Traffic Only
  • Mark Twain Road - water over the road, Local Traffic Only
  • Orde Street - Water over the road, Local Traffic Only
  • Reynolds Road - Water over the road near Duck Lake Road
  • Ritchie Falls Road - Water over the road in multiple locations, use caution
  • Ron Road - Water over the road, Local Traffic Only
  • Salerno Lake Road - Bridge Closed – access from Trent Lakes
  • Sandy Bay Road - Washed out, limited access, Local Traffic Only
  • Sedgwick Road - Water over the road, Local Traffic Only
  • Spring Valley Road - Water over the road near end.

Avoid driving on any roadways that are underwater, as road conditions may be unstable and dangerous. It is important to note that Local Traffic Only means that only people who reside on the street are to be using that roadway.

Facility Closures

  • The Minden Hills Cultural Centre (176 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden) is closed to the public as staff assist with the ongoing State of Emergency.
  • The Haliburton County Library Minden Hills branch will be closed on Saturday, April 18, 2026 due to the State of Emergency and Sunnybrook Bridge closure. Visit haliburtonlibrary.ca for more information.

Public Inquiries 

We ask the community to direct flood related questions to the Public Inquiry Centre via email or call 705-286-1260. Visit our website for up-to-date information at www.mindenhills.ca/news.

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Contact Information:

Township of Minden Hills
Public Inquiry Centre
Email or call 705-286-1260