Emergency Preparedness & Community Safety Home Residents Emergency Preparedness & Community Safety Emergency Preparedness & Community Safety Emergency management in the Municipality is based on a coordinated approach involving municipal services, provincial agencies, and community partners. While the Municipality maintains plans and procedures to respond to emergencies, individual preparedness remains an important part of overall community safety. The Municipality of Huron Shores is committed to helping residents prepare for emergencies and access reliable information when it matters most. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency municipal inquiries, contact the Municipal Office at 705-843-2033. What to Expect During an Emergency In the event of an emergency, the Municipality responds in accordance with its Emergency Management Program and established response procedures. Actions taken will depend on the nature and severity of the situation and may include: Monitoring conditions and coordinating with partner agencies Issuing public alerts and updates Implementing road closures or other safety measures Activating emergency shelter supports, where required, such as warming or reception centres for short-term assistance Response efforts are coordinated with agencies such as Emergency Management Ontario, the Ministry of Natural Resources, emergency services, and, where appropriate, organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross. Emergency Updates During an active emergency, road closure, or other hazard, official updates will be shared through: Email distribution list – subscribe to our mailing list Facebook Instagram Municipal website news These communication channels are used to share timely updates during emergencies or emerging situations. In urgent circumstances where there is a potential risk to public safety, the Municipality may also issue direct notifications (such as phone, email, or text alerts) to ensure residents receive critical information as quickly as possible. Your Role in Emergency Preparedness Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility between residents, municipalities, and provincial and federal agencies. Residents are encouraged to: Stay informed through official municipal communications Have an emergency plan in place Identify alternative accommodations if access to their property may be limited Stay connected with neighbours, family, or support networks Provincial resources, including Ontario’s Flood Strategy and Emergency Management Ontario guidance, provide additional information to help individuals prepare. Community and Safety Services The Municipality works in partnership with other agencies to support community safety. Depending on the nature of your concern, the following services may be able to assist: Ontario Provincial PoliceFor criminal matters, traffic offences, or immediate public safety concerns.Non-emergency: 1-888-310-1122Emergency: 911 HydroOne For power outages or to report active outages. Fire DepartmentFor fire safety, burn restrictions during fire bans, and emergency response. If you are unsure who to contact, please call the Municipal Office, 705-843-2033 and staff will assist in directing your inquiry. Learn more about how to prepare your family or workplace. Links: How to Prepare for an Emergency – Brochure Emergency Management Ontario – Guidelines in developing a Emergency Plan The Vulnerable Person Registry The goal of the VPR is to provide police with quick access to critical information about a registered person so the officer can assist in an emergency situation. When a Vulnerable Person is thought to be at risk, his or her personal information will be shared with relevant organizations, enabling them to quickly respond and provide effective assistance to the registrant. Vulnerable Persons Registry – Check Eligibility & Register VPR Information Brochure VPR Information Poster Flood Risk Assessment in Huron Shores Are you #FloodReady? You might think flooding won’t affect you—especially if you don’t live near water—but floods can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone.Learn more: Canada’s Flood Risk Guide. Understanding Flood Risk in Huron Shores Certain areas within Huron Shores are subject to flood risk due to watershed and shoreline conditions. The Municipality has completed flood risk mapping and assessment studies to better understand these risks and support responsible planning and emergency response. If you believe your property may be located within a flood-prone area, please review the mapping resources below or contact the Municipal Office for assistance. Mississagi River Monitoring Committee The Municipality’s internal committee, the Flood Monitoring Committee, meets annually (typically in early spring) to review current conditions, projected flows, and preparedness measures. These meetings include representatives from the Municipality, the dam operator, and other relevant agencies. Meeting information or recordings, where available, will be posted on the municipal meeting calendar or may be requested through the Municipal Office. Flood Mapping – Background Reports and Studies+ Background: Why New Mapping Was Needed In the 1980s and 1990s, communities across Ontario were mapped under the federal Flood Damage Reduction Program (FDRP), which designated 1:100-year flood risk zones. These maps have guided planning and development decisions for decades—but in Huron Shores, they were limited in both geographic coverage and technical detail, and had not been updated since their creation. To address this gap, the Municipality of Huron Shores launched a flood risk assessment initiative in 2021, supported through Stream 1 of the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP). Engineering firm Hatch Ltd. was retained to provide a comprehensive, modern assessment of flood risk in priority areas. The project used advanced tools and data collection, including: Bathymetry and LiDAR analysis Hydrology and hydraulic modeling Quantitative risk assessment Community risk and vulnerability mapping Public Information Sessions were held on February 17, 2022 and September 8, 2022 to share preliminary results and gather input. Council Decision – October 2022 On October 26, 2022, Council adopted the 2022 Inland Flood Line Interpretation Report as the new “engineered flood lines” for the purposes of Section 4.11 of Zoning By-law #18-18, replacing outdated mapping in the Official Plan.Supporting documents include: Flood Risk Assessment Report by Hatch Ltd Inland Flood Line Interpretation by Municipal Planner for the Municipality of Huron Shores, Peter Tonazzo. Motion 8.1.1., Resolution 22-24-02, Flood Risk Interpretation Report Draft mapping and technical data were released in February 2024, including: Flood Risk Assessment Report by Hatch Ltd Inland Flood Line Interpretation by Municipal Planner for the Municipality of Huron Shores, Peter Tonazzo. Motion 8.1.1., Resolution 22-24-02, Flood Risk Interpretation Report Floodplain Mapping Technical Report Pickerel Creek Floodplain Map Mississaugi River Floodplain Map Little Thessalon River Floodplain Map Thessalon River Floodplain Map Bright Lake Floodplain Map Bolton River Floodplain Map Listen in to the Municipality’s annual Mississagi River Monitoring Committee meeting. Usually held the first Thursday in April each year. These meetings provide updates on the state of the river flows and updates on current water levels. For more information or to listen in, email the Municipal Office for information at email@huronshores.ca. Historical Data 1979: Major spring flooding hit Iron Bridge, forcing the evacuation of over a dozen homes in a lower section of the village when the Mississagi River overflowed its banks. Water reached depths of 5 feet outside homes on Mississauga Crescent. Mississagi Crescent Iron Bridge Senior Citizens Home on Mississagi Crescent A view from a distance, hydro poles visible but no sign of a road leading to the home. 2013: Huron Shores Declares a State of Emergency, further information available here. 2013 Flood – Mississagi River 2013 Flood – Bright Lake 2013 Flood – Mississagi Crescent 2013 Flood – Bright Lake 2013 Flood Risk – Centennial Park 2013 Flood – Bolton River EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The Municipality of Huron Shores maintains an Emergency Response Plan in accordance with the Emergency Management Ontario. The program supports preparedness, response, and recovery planning to protect the health and safety of the community.