Township of Severn declares a State of Emergency

Township of Severn has declared a State of Emergency as of Wednesday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m. under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act  as a result of the severe impacts of the ice storm and forecasted weather.

The decision comes as additional severe weather is possible in the next 24 hours within the region, which may further affect power outages, water and wastewater capacity, and telecommunications.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the extraordinary resilience shown by our community, staff, and volunteers. Your relentless efforts during the recent ice storm to protect the well-being of Severn's residents have been truly remarkable, and I am deeply appreciative of all that you have achieved and continue to do. The ice storm posed significant challenges for everyone, which led to Severn’s declaration of a Significant Weather Event. The decision provided the Township and our community with the necessary time to evaluate the situation, coordinate with external agencies, and address the issues at hand. This decision to declare a State of Emergency on April 2 was not taken lightly. It was decided as the forecasted weather may stall recovery issues, and the State of Emergency declaration will align the Township with the position declared by the County of Simcoe to ensure effective collaboration and coordination of resources for our community.

Mayor Mike Burkett

As the region expects more freezing rain, our community is reminded to:

• prepare an emergency preparedness kit for your household with enough non-perishable food, water and essentials to stay self-sufficient for up to 3 days
• be safe around downed power lines and stay at least 10 meters away
• visit ontario.ca/511 to stay informed on local traffic and road conditions

Hydro One continues to work around the clock to restore hydro across the region. The declaration of a State of Emergency will not increase the speed at which Hydro One will be restoring hydro to the area. Hydro One bases its restoration on detailed emergency plans developed independently of municipal governments.

Stay informed

Subscribe to our News and Notices, Facebook, X, and Instagram channels for information on Severn's municipal services in response to the ice storm.

Contact us

Customer Care Team
Phone: 705-325-2315
Email the Customer Care Team