Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz issued the following statement today:
“On behalf of town council, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped our community in the aftermath of the recent ice storm.
We thank the many hydro employees who have worked valiantly for several days now to restore power to homes and business across Gravenhurst.
Your determination to get the lights and heat back on is appreciated by so many throughout our community.
We know that many hydro workers are away from their families for an extended period right now and we recognize the sacrifice you are making.
As well, on behalf of council, I want to thank our Infrastructure Services Department staff for the tremendous effort you have made to clear fallen trees from roads and road allowances. You have worked long and hard days.
Simply put, the town’s tree clearing has been a massive job – at times slowed as we wait for downed power lines to be safely dealt with – but we are making progress.
Still, there is significant work ahead, including the cleanup of our parks, trails, and cemeteries.
We also want to recognize our caring frontline staff for fielding calls from residents and helping these people get their concerns and needs addressed.
And we thank our firefighters who have checked on residents and helped get supplies to people in need. Each of you are a testament to your profession.
We also want to acknowledge our Emergency Control Group, which has met regularly to manage the town’s response to the ice storm, and will continue to meet in the days to come.
To our residents, we know these past few days have been hard, but we are so impressed by the stories we’ve heard about people coming together to support each other through this difficult period.
So many in our community have shown care and empathy and that truly makes a difference.
The town has provided daily updates on its website and social media channels throughout the recovery. We will continue to keep you informed.
The District of Muskoka also has ice storm recovery information available on its website and social media channels and I know these updates will continue.
Thank you and I wish everyone a safe weekend.”
Other Info (April 4th 2025)
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.
