High Lake Level Warning issued for Lake Erie shoreline

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a High Lake Level Warning. This warning is in addition to the previously issued Watershed Conditions Statement. While some uncertainty remains in the height of the Lake Erie surge, forecasts indicate a risk for flooding along the Lake Erie shoreline and Grand River downstream of Dunnville Dam. Waves of up to 1.6 m are expected to accompany this surge event.

Strong south-west winds, gusting up to 100 km/h, overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning, beginning to ease near noon. A rainfall warning is also in effect with rain, heavy at times, continuing overnight. Total rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 mm or more are possible by early Sunday morning.

The Port Maitland Pier has been closed due to high winds and waves. Haldimand County Fire Chief Jason Gallagher is urging residents to stay away from this area and avoid all shoreline areas.

The MNRF’s surge model forecast for the eastern end of Lake Erie is indicating a rise in levels of 2.10 metres (6.9 feet) above chart datum of 173.5 m IGLD85 at the gauge in Port Colborne. The peak above critical level is forecast to occur Sunday morning between approximately 7:00 and 11:00.

The MNRF forecast is predicting the following in the vicinity of Port Maitland:

Lake Erie current elevation at Port Maitland:                                      174.60 m (IGLD 1985)

Lake Erie estimated to peak at:                              175.60 m (IGLD 1985), excluding waves

Lake Erie Expected time of peak:                                      Thursday, October 31 (late night)

Critical Level:                                                                                        175.5 m (IGLD 1985)

Forecast (estimated) Peak Lake Level:      0.10 m above the critical level, excluding waves

Area of Impact:                                                    Zone 1 flood zone along Lake Erie Shoreline

 

The public is asked to stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline due to strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas. Property owners are also encouraged to contact their insurance company about flood insurance if they do not already have it.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will be actively monitoring conditions throughout this weather event. Residents should pay close attention to changing weather conditions and watch for updates flood messages.

For information about what to do before, during, and after a flood, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/floods. 

Flood Warning issued for Grand River watershed

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Warning for the entire Grand River watershed. Flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas of Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville that typically experience spring flooding. Residents are encouraged to stay away from watercourses, ditches & shoreline areas during this rainfall event.

A significant winter storm is anticipated to impact much of the province through this weekend with precipitation beginning late Friday afternoon and persisting through Sunday morning. There is still a great deal of uncertainty with respect to how much of this precipitation will fall as rain before transitioning to freezing rain as temperatures fall through the day on Saturday. How this precipitation falls will greatly impact how local waterways respond.

“Residents should remain alert throughout this weather event, keep a close eye on changing conditions and watch for updated flood messages and weather warnings,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Fire Chief & Manager of Emergency Services. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider about flood insurance if they do not already have it.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, frozen water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all of these areas.

Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly. Helpful resources for property owners regarding flood preparedness are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/emergency-preparedness and HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Water levels are expected to remain elevated for several days following this weather event. Both conservation authority & Emergency Services staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions, issue updated flood messages and respond as necessary.

Weekend Forecast Calls For Heavy Rain, Potential For Flooding In Low-Lying Areas Of Haldimand

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority has issued a watershed conditions statement for low-lying areas of Haldimand. Current forecasts are calling for 50 to 65mm of rain over Friday and Saturday with the bulk of it expected to fall on Saturday, January 11. Residents are encouraged to stay away from watercourses, ditches & shoreline areas during this rainfall event.

The forecast conditions will lead to watercourses rising throughout with the potential to flood low lying areas if the higher range of rainfall occurs.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, frozen water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all of these areas.

Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly.

Water levels are expected to remain elevated for several days following this weather event. Both conservation authority & Emergency Services staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and issue updated flood messages as necessary. The watershed conditions statement will be in effect until noon on Monday, January 13, 2020.

Haldimand County Now Accepting Nominations For Business Excellence Awards

On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Haldimand County will host its annual Business Excellence Awards breakfast. The Mayor and Council invite residents, local business owners, representatives from Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Areas, and business organizations across the county to submit nominations recognizing outstanding local business achievements in 2019.

Nominations for outstanding business achievements are now being accepted in the following categories:

  • Agri-business Award – Recognizes a business that is connected to the agricultural sector or the supply chain;
  • Business Award – Presented to 2 businesses that can demonstrate growth, excellence and innovation. Awarded to one company with more than 10 employees and one company with 10 employees or less;
  • Tourism Business Award – Recognizes businesses that provide tourism experiences and promote Haldimand County as a tourism destination;
  • Real Potential Award – Recognizes outstanding young entrepreneurs and new businesses that have been in business for under 3 years;
  • Not–for-Profit Award – Recognizes outstanding leadership and organizational excellence in a registered not-for-profit or charity.

“The Business Excellence Awards are an opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements and the positive growth made by businesses in our community.” explained Lidy Romanuk, Manager of Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism Division.

Individuals or organizations interested in nominating a local business are invited to do so by February 14, 2020. Nomination forms and award guidelines can be picked up at all Haldimand County offices, libraries or accessed online at BusinessHaldimand.ca. For more information please call 905-318-5932 ext. 6331.

Haldimand County Museum & Archives kicks off 2020 with a blast from the past at Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre

Haldimand County Museum & Archives is pleased to offer four exciting events in January. Residents will have the chance to learn about a famous inventor from Haldimand, cultural cooking, Haldimand’s Black History and winter pastimes enjoyed by our ancestors. All programs will be held at the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre; registration may be completed online or in-person at any County office.

Life & Times Series: “P.L. Robertson” – January 14 (6:30 pm)
This special talk will highlight the life and times of Peter Lymburner Robertson, from Seneca, the inventor of the Robertson screwdriver. In 1907, while demonstrating a new slot headed screw driver for a Philadelphia based tool company, Robertson cut his hand badly when the driver – as it had time and time again – slipped out of the slot.  Always a tinkerer, he set himself the task of inventing a new screw that would not only be safer, but faster and more efficient than its outdated predecessor. Pre-registration is required for this program; the cost is $10/person. Code: 10323.

Exhibit Opening Talk: “They Came in the Night” – January 15 (1pm)
This talk will kick off the museum’s latest exhibit on the history of the Underground Railway and black settlements in Haldimand County. The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early-to-mid-19th century. This network was used by African-American slaves to escape into free states and Canada, with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. Pre-registration is required for this program; the cost is $10/person. Code: 10324. The Exhibit will be open until March 25.

Workshop “Cultural Cooking” – January 22 (1 pm)
Shopping local is not a new thing. Our early ancestors had to adapt their cooking skills to what food was available. The food traditions that they brought with them from their homelands were adapted to work with what was on hand in Canada. This workshop will explore some of these early dishes and how they form what we now call ‘Canadian Cuisine’.   Pre-registration is required for this program; the cost is $10/person. Code: 10343.

Heritage Series “Winter Pastimes” – January 25 (1pm)
This talk will focus on the winter pastimes our ancestors enjoyed and how our various cultures influenced our traditional games.   Cost $10/pp   Code: 10407

For more information contact the museum at 905-772-5880 or email: museum.archives@haldimandcounty.on.ca. Haldimand County Museum & Archives is located within the  Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre, 19 Talbot St W, Cayuga.

Haldimand County Paramedic Services Offering Community Flu Vaccine Clinics

In late 2019, Haldimand County received $5,910 in funding from the Hamilton Norfolk Haldimand Brant Emergency Services Steering Committee (HNHB ESSC) to host influenza vaccination clinics across the community. The first clinic will take place Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 10am to 3pm at R Villa Caledonia Retirement Living in Caledonia (339 Argyle St. S). Vaccinations are free, and no appointment is required.

Local influenza vaccine clinics are funded through the HNHB ESSC using funds from St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The goal of the clinics is to enhance access to influenza vaccines for vulnerable residents and individuals with limiting medical issues.

Vaccinations will be administered by a Haldimand County Community Paramedic. Residents who wish to attend and receive a vaccination may do so on a walk-in basis during the clinic hours. While vaccinations are free, residents must provide a valid Ontario Health Card.

Additional vaccine clinic times and locations will be announced shortly at HaldimandCounty.ca.

Tim Horton’s Christmas free skates happening across Haldimand

Have some fun this winter with the Tim Hortons’ Free Skates program! Tim Hortons restaurant owners proudly offer complimentary skating during the winter season at local community arenas across the country. Below is a list of the FREE Skates in Haldimand County this holiday season. Be sure to check the events calendar for the most up-to-date program information (cancellations, etc).

 

December 23, 2019 -January 3, 2020 Tim Horton’s FREE Skate Schedule

December 23

Cayuga Memorial Arena: 1 to 2pm
Dunnville Memorial Arena: 2 to 3pm
Hagersville Arena: 10 to 11am

December 24

Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: 11am to 12:30pm (Almas Rink)
Dunnville Memorial Arena: 10:30am to 12pm
Hagersville Arena: 1 to 2pm

December 27

Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: 1:30 to 2:30pm (Almas Rink)
Cayuga Memorial Arena: 1 to 2:30pm
Dunnville Memorial Arena: 11am to 12pm

December 30

Cayuga Memorial Arena: 1:30 to 2:30pm

December 31

Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: 12pm to 1pm (Clark Rink)
Dunnville Memorial Arena: 10:30 to 11:30am
Hagersville Arena: 1 to 2pm

January 2

Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: 10 to 11am (Clark Rink)
Hagersville Arena: 10 to 11:30am

January 3

Cayuga Memorial Arena: 11am to 12pm

 

Haldimand County Official Plan update to begin in January 2020

Haldimand County’s Official Plan will be undergoing an update starting in early 2020. On January 14, staff will present a report to Council outlining the proposed phasing of the update and scope of work. Residents are invited to attend the January 14 Council in Committee meeting to learn more about the project and share ideas for Haldimand’s future.

An Official Plan is a statutory document required by the province of Ontario that describes a municipality’s long-term land-use strategy. It addresses the location and form of new housing, industry, offices and shops as well as anticipated needs for infrastructure. Streets, parks, transit, schools, community amenities, and other elements of a growing city are all considered in the Official Plan.

Haldimand County’s current Official Plan was approved by Council in 2006 and by the Province in 2009. There have been about 50 amendments to the Plan since then. In recent years, there have been significant changes to Provincial policies that guide land development and as such, the County’s Plan must be updated. The current Official Plan was intended to guide growth and development to 2031. The updated Plan will guide growth and development over the next 25 years – to 2046.

Residents who wish to provide input on the Official Plan may attend the January 14, 2020 Council in Committee meeting to share their ideas with Council. Registering as a speaker or delegate is not required. Alternatively, residents may submit their comments in writing to the Municipal Clerk by January 7, 2020.

The Official Plan update will be a multi-year project implemented in phases, with the long-term growth strategy being the first phase. Community consultations and engagement activities will be held throughout the duration of the project.

Two Public Information Centres (PICs) are being planned for early February and mid-April 2020 to educate community members about the project and obtain feedback on proposed policies and Plan amendments. Further details about the Official Plan update – including PIC times and locations – will be announced in the near future.

Flooding hazards & preparedness measures resources

On Monday, December 2, 200+ residents attended the Flooding Hazards & Preparedness Measures Public Education Centre (PEC) at the Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre. Presentation slides shown during the PEC are available below, as well as other resource materials provided at the December 2 event. This information is also available at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Documents & resources

1. Public Education Centre presentation slides

2. Storm & flood contact information for residents – information sheet

3. Preparing For Flooding – a guide for property owners

4. Emergency flooding handout

5. Emergency power outage handout

6. Insurance for disasters handout

7. Lake Erie Flood Zone Property Lookup Tool

Haldimand County Under Freezing Rain Warning

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Haldimand County. Strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h coupled with ice accretion on tree branches and power lines could cause power outages

Precipitation is expected to move into the area late tonight or early Sunday morning. The precipitation will begin as freezing rain and change to freezing drizzle or drizzle early Sunday afternoon. For areas closer to the lake shore the transition from freezing rain to drizzle will occur late Sunday morning.

Several millimeters of ice accretion are possible over these regions with some areas possibly receiving a few centimeters of snow and ice pellets in addition to the freezing rain.

Travel may quickly become hazardous during this event. Haldimand County Emergency Services is advising residents to drive with caution during this event and pay close attention to changing weather conditions.

“There are a few key actions residents can take to stay safe & minimize safety risks during a power outage. Retrieving your flashlight and ensuring your cellular devices are charged are a good first step,” said Jason Gallagher, Manager of Emergency Services & Fire Chief.

If the power goes out, residents should:

  • Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored.
  • Leave their freezer and fridge shut unless it is absolutely necessary to open them (a full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed).
  • Listen to your battery-powered or wind-up radio for information on the outage
  • Make sure their carbon monoxide detector is working. If it is hard-wired to the house’s electrical supply, ensure it has a battery powered back-up.
  • Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as TVs, computer, and DVD players with a surge-protecting power bar.
  • Use proper candle holders. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep out of reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed.

More emergency preparedness tips and resources are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/emergency-preparedness.