Immediate Release

Township of Ramara Emergency Operations Update #6

Ramara, ON/ April 3, 2025 – The Township of Ramara remains in a declared State of Emergency and Significant Weather Event in the aftermath of the March 30 ice storm. The Township is working closely with partners to provide wellness supports, curbside brush collection, and improved access to food and essential services for those impacted. These efforts are part of ongoing recovery operations to ensure the community’s needs are met in the days ahead.

Warming and Relief Centre Availability

• Warming centres are open so that residents can access the facility to charge their devices, use the public facilities, and get warm:
• Township Administration Centre (2297 Highway 12): Open April 3 and April 4, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Ramara Centre (5482 Highway 12): Open April 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and April 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (No regular programming; warming only.)
• The Ramara Township Public Library is operating out of the Ramara Centre location on April 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and April 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Brechin Mara Legion: Open for warming and device charging. Call 705-484-5393 for hours.
• The Relief Centre at the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.) is available for Ramara residents. The Relief Centre is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Guests must register by 9 p.m. to stay overnight. The centre offers a warm, safe space, charging stations (priority for medical devices), access to restrooms, and light refreshments. The OPP is providing security 24/7 and a paramedic is onsite 24/7. The Couchiching Ontario Health Team is also onsite with a table with assistance available for navigating support services, booking patients to see a Nurse Practitioner or Mental Health Crisis Counsellor if they need to do so, and coordinating medication delivery or pick up for patients that need support with a pharmacy.
• The City of Orillia Relief Centre showers are also open to residents from Ramara and neighbouring communities. Guests must pre-register online or in person at the Orillia Recreation Centre. One 20-minute slot is available per person (including changing time). Guests must bring their own towel, soap and toiletries.

All Township trails continue to be closed until further notice due to hazardous conditions from downed trees and falling branches. Please avoid wooded areas for your safety.

Township phones are operational during business hours. Leave a message for a return call, or report issues 24/7 via the After-Hours line at 705-484-5374 (option 9) or www.ramara.ca/reportit.

Food Access

• The Salvation Army food truck stationed at the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.) to provide meals for individuals and families without power is available for Ramara residents. 

• Ramara residents can contact 211 Ontario to be connected with emergency food access. Residents are encouraged to call 211 for non-emergency inquiries related to shelter, food access, wellness checks, volunteer opportunities, and other community services. 211 is available 24/7 and connects callers with trained professionals who can guide them to the appropriate local supports.

Wellness Checks and Resources

If it’s safe to do so, residents are encouraged to check in on their neighbours – especially seniors, individuals living alone, or those who may not have access to phones, internet, or social media. A quick call, knock on the door, or offer to share updates can go a long way in ensuring everyone feels supported and connected.

Wellness checks for Township of Ramara residents are available through the following process:

• Contact the Township Administration Centre at 705-484-5374 during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with a request for a wellness check.
• For after-hours wellness concerns, call 705-623-7295.
• The request will be assigned to a Township Bylaw Officer.
• The Bylaw Officer will visit the requested location and follow up accordingly.

211 Ontario is also available to help residents access up-to-date information and support resources during the ongoing emergency. Residents are encouraged to call 211 for non-emergency inquiries related to shelter, food access, wellness checks, volunteer opportunities, and other community services. 211 is available 24/7 and connects callers with trained professionals who can guide them to the appropriate local supports.

Dedicated Ice Storm Response Webpage

Hydro One crews continue working to restore power. Residents are urged to plan for outages lasting throughout the weekend, depending on their location and the extent of local damage.

The Township has created a dedicated Ice Storm Response webpage that includes information and resources for Ramara residents during the State of Emergency declaration.

View Ice Storm Response Page 

Weather Alerts

The Township remains under a Significant Weather Event (as per O. Reg. 239/02 of the Municipal Act). This declaration advises the public that all roadways and sidewalks are considered in a state of repair and may be unsafe to use. It also notifies residents that it may take longer than usual to restore conditions.

Brush and Debris Cleanup and Collection Services

The County of Simcoe is deploying brush collection services starting on Monday, April 7, 2025, prioritizing the most impacted areas of the region, including the Township of Ramara.

For the next three weeks, only brush will be accepted curbside, not bagged leaf and yard waste or bagged brush. This allows crews to efficiently collect storm debris and process it into wood chips immediately. Regular waste collection will also continue during this time. Please leave your carts at the curb until they are collected. Missed roads will be attempted again on Friday, April 4.

How to prepare brush for curbside collection:

• Bundle and secure brush with natural twine.
• Ensure bundles are no larger than 2 m in length and 30 cm in diameter, with individual branches not exceeding 7 cm in diameter.
• Logs are not accepted, and bundles should weigh no more than 20 kg.

• Keep brush on your property: Place branches or brush at the front or side of your property, well away from the road.
• Do not block: Please avoid placing brush near roadways, storm drains, fire hydrants, or hydro infrastructure. This slows emergency response and cleanup efforts.
• Do not place brush on public property, including trails, parks, boulevards, or roadways.

Additionally, to support the cleanup process, County of Simcoe waste drop-off sites will be accepting brush debris, free of charge, until April 28. The County is working to extend operating days at some waste drop-off facilities and are looking to provide other temporary locations for brush drop-off. Updates will be communicated as soon as details are confirmed. Root balls are not accepted as brush and will be charged at the full disposal rate.

The Mara Waste Drop-off Site at 5200 County Rd. 169 is open Thursday to Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sites are operating on regular schedules; however, some may be without power and may only accept cash payments and charge by volume instead of weight.

For more information on brush and debris collection and cleanup, visit the County of Simcoe Ice Storm Information page at simcoe.ca/IceStorm.

Do not begin cleanup until it is safe to do so. Hazards include:

• Downed wires, sharp debris, and unstable branches pose serious safety risks.
• Increased ER visits have been reported due to cleanup injuries.
• Hire professionals, when possible, especially for seniors or those without proper equipment.
• Never attempt to remove limbs caught in or near power lines — report them to your local utility.

Safety Warning: Portable Generator Use

Ramara Fire & Rescue Services are responding to an increase in carbon monoxide-related calls. As residents continue to use generators during the ongoing power outage, it is critical to use them safely to prevent serious injury or death.

• Always use generators outdoors, well away from your home — never inside a garage, shed, or enclosed space.
• Make sure the generator is pointed away from windows, doors, vents, and air intakes.
• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
• Look for a Canadian certification mark when purchasing a generator to ensure it meets safety standards.
• Never connect a generator directly to your home’s electrical system — this can cause dangerous backfeeding that puts utility workers and others at risk.

If you're without power, consider safe alternatives such as layered clothing, blankets, and battery-powered heat sources. Always prioritize ventilation and fire safety when staying warm.

Water Conservation

A water conservation notice remains in effect for those on municipal water in the areas of Brechin and Lagoon City due to elevated turbidity levels in the raw water (lake water before treatment). Residents are urged to conserve water and avoid non-essential use during this period.

If turbidity levels continue to rise, a Boil Water Advisory may be issued. There is also a possibility of reduced water pressure or water supply interruptions until turbidity levels decrease and normal plant operations resume. Residents are advised to ensure they have an adequate supply of drinking water and other necessities during this time.

Potable Water Access

Potable water access is available from the outdoor tap at Fire Hall #1 (3290 Ramara Rd. 47) in Brechin. Water is also available by the Barnfield Point Recreation Centre in J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park (500 Atherley Rd., Orillia)

Protecting the Wastewater System

Residents are reminded that sump pumps, downspouts, and building drains must not be connected to the municipal wastewater system. These illegal connections can:

• Overwhelm wastewater treatment systems, leading to environmental discharge.
• Cause sewage backups in homes.
• Lead to fines and other penalties.

What to Do:

• Check your property to ensure sump pumps and downspouts are not discharging into sanitary sewers.
• Redirect any improper connections to a safe area (e.g. lawn or rain garden).
• Contact the Township for support or questions.

Help protect your home and the community — Make the Right Connection.

Road and Power Safety

• Stay off closed roads and treat all wires as live.
• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed hydro lines and report them to Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
• Crossing closed roads is at your own risk and may not be covered by insurance.
• Report downed trees or damage on public property by calling the After-Hours line at 705-484-5374, option 9, or online at www.ramara.ca/ReportIt.
• Emergency services remain fully operational and are responding to calls throughout the Township. Ramara Fire and Rescue Services has a high volume of calls and asks the public to call 9-1-1 only in an emergency.

Power Outage Safety Tips

• Never use barbecues, generators, or propane heaters indoors – they produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.
• Keep sump pumps operational and drains clear to help reduce the risk of flooding.

• Unplug electric vehicles to prevent power surges and protect the vehicle.

Additional Public Health Resources

Residents are encouraged to review the following emergency preparedness and safety resources from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: 

• Cleaning up after a flood 

• Drinking water safety after a power outage 

• Food safety and other emergency tips 

Reporting Information 

• Report power outages or get updates directly from Hydro One. 

• Website: https://www.hydroone.com/outages 
• Call: 1-800-434-1235 
• Text “outage” to 92887 (WATTS) 

• Downed trees or damage to local roads: Call the After-Hours line at 705-484-5374, option 9, or report it online at www.ramara.ca/ReportIt. 

• Downed power lines: Stay at least 10 metres back and call 9-1-1 immediately. You can also report downed lines to Hydro One. 

• To report an emergency, please call 9-1-1. 

Stay Up to Date 

The Township of Ramara will continue to monitor impacts and provide updates to residents on the State of Emergency through the following communication channels: 

• Alertable 
• Ice Storm Response page

• News and Notices page 

• Social Media

Residents are strongly encouraged to register for Alertable to receive important updates directly via mobile app, email, text message, or phone call. It’s the fastest way to stay informed during an emergency.

We thank our residents for their continued patience and cooperation as we work through the impacts of this significant weather event.

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Media Contact

Ashley Watson

Manager of Business, Communications and Community Engagement

Township of Ramara

705-484-5374 ext. 322