City provides assistance after storm clean-up
The sudden and severe storm that passed through the area on May 21 has resulted in damage to many properties from Pontypool, Bethany and Janetville in the south, up to Lindsay, Omemee and outside Bobcaygeon. The storm has hit many other pockets of the municipality. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities or no major injuries.
The municipality has been in touch with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and at this time is working to assess extent of the damage. If the Ministry determines the storm damage warrants the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, it will provide further details. Property owners must claim insurance coverage first; please contact your insurance company. More information on the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program is available online through MMAH.
“I visited in the Pontypool area today with Deputy Mayor Richardson, and some families have sustained major damage to their homes and barns,” said Mayor Andy Letham. “Many across our community are waiting for power to be restored, and we know that Hydro One is working around the clock to do so. In the meantime, we have put in place some relief for residents to take care of immediate needs for water and waste disposal. I’d like to thank everyone who has been looking in on neighbours and helping with clean up. Our staff are clearing trees from roads and parks where it is safe to do so and will continue cleanup for weeks to come.”
Two Fire Stations open for local relief for residents without power
- Bethany Fire Station, 88 Ski Hill Road, Bethany
- Pontypool Fire Station, 287 John Street, Pontypool
Hours: Tuesday May 24 – Wednesday May 25 from 4pm to 8pm
Services available:
- Disposal of residential food waste – bins remain available anytime for the week of May 23
- Bottled water, limited supply
- Phone charging
Relief for residents at landfills
To assist with storm cleanup, tipping fees will be waived for residential leaf and yard waste.
Tipping fees will also be waived for any expired food waste brought to any municipal landfill. Summer landfill hours are now in effect.
Leaf and yard curbside collection begins next week. If your scheduled collection day is on Monday or Wednesday, your spring leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday June 3. If your scheduled collection day is on Tuesday or Thursday, your spring leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday June 10.
Road Closures on Municipal 511
Please visit Municipal511.ca for updates on road closures throughout the municipality.
Municipal Call Centre
Speak with staff from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm at 705-324-9411 or 1-888-822-2225. Report a municipal service issue at www.kawarthalakes.ca/reportit.
A message from Hydro One
At this time, 168, 614 customers remain without power. Damage includes over 1,000 broken poles, and just as many downed power lines, along with countless trees and large branches causing power outages. While we continue to make progress, restoration efforts are expected to continue over the coming days.
Customers can continue to report their outage by texting 92887 (WATTS), online, through the company’s outage map and app, or by calling 1-800-434-1235. An estimated time of restoration will be assigned to each outage as damage is assessed. Customers can view the current status of their outage here however it is important to note the status of these incidents may change as damage continues to be assessed and work occurs on-site.
Lastly, we continue to remind customers to stay at least 10 metres back from a fallen power line, even if it does not appear to be live.
