Northern Bruce Continues To Recover From Spring Ice Storm

By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press

The last weekend in March 2025 offered up an icy mix of weather, with freezing rain encasing vegetation and infrastructure throughout Northern Bruce.

On the morning of 30 March most residents woke up with no power due to downed power lines, as well as fallen trees and broken branches. Some residents and businesses reported loss of internet, phone and cell service.

Emergency service personnel and Hydro crews were immediately dispatched and worked diligently to restore power to the community. Many roads were closed as crews dealt with issues: Lindsay Road 30, Elgin Street; the Ida and Helen Street intersection had a cable down; Tower Road was affected by multiple broken poles and downed power lines. Crane Lake Road had trees down over hydro lines. Byron Street at Barrow Street had a downed line.

While for some the power outage lasted a few hours, many experienced 24 to 96 hours without hydro. Power has now been restored to the majority of areas. All roads have been reopened.

Local Fire Chief Jack Burt indicated that the ice storm damage was widespread throughout the Peninsula, with Tobermory and Hopeness/Hope Bay areas sustaining substantial damage. Luckily no injuries or serious property damage were reported. The Fire Service responded to over 27 calls. These calls were considered minor in nature – power lines down, electrical fires/power surges (especially as the power came back on) and carbon monoxide related concerns.

Over the week Public Works cleared fallen trees and debris, graded roads to improve road conditions and inspected culverts and ditches to ensure water was draining properly. 

The Municipality of Northern Bruce issued daily advisory bulletins on the current conditions.

The Municipality also advised everyone to stay away from downed wires; to not remove or prune branches near power lines, stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and be aware that suspended tree branches and split trunks could fall.

At Bruce Peninsula National Park one of the yurts had a damaged skylight due to a fallen branch. By mid-week the Park had not identified damage to the main visitor areas and assessment of more remote areas of the park was ongoing. Staff worked to clear fallen trees off park trails and roads so that the Park could re-open to full capacity. Some areas of the park did re-open earlier in the week. However, due to ongoing power outages and safety concerns following the recent ice storm and freezing rain and high winds on April 2, all park areas and facilities were closed again. Visitors were advised to check the Park’s website and social media for information on reopening.

The Municipality advised residents to dispose of garbage and storm-related debris such as fallen branches, spoiled food, or other storm damage materials at the landfill.

Various locations were open in the community offering a warm space, access to the internet, to charge phones and other devices and even get a warm beverage or soup.

Some Sunday church services were cancelled on 30 March, including Tobermory United Church. The church did remain open until 2 pm for anyone wishing to warm up, get water, use a landline, access the Internet and/or have some coffee.

Power returned in time for the final winter Sunday Social at the Rotary Hall, locals dropped by for some warmth, hot beverages and soup and for wifi access.

On 31 March, the Municipality opened the Tobermory Community Centre and the Lion’s Head Arena for public use; with shower facilities available at the arena. The Lion’s Head Library was also open during their normal opening hours.

The Pentecostal Church on Highway 6, near to Ferndale invited the public to drop in between 9 a. m. to 5 pm. to charge devices and in the afternoons, to get a bowl of soup. The Church also offered space in their fridge/freezer.

Rachel’s Restaurant in Lion’s Head invited community members to come in and keep warm and enjoy a free cup of soup.

The Friendship Club in Lion’s Head also extended an invitation for anyone needing a warm place to drop by on 31 March afternoon to have a cup of tea/coffee and play cards or a board game.

Bear Tracks Inn and Restaurant in Ferndale offered discounted room rates for seniors wishing to stay in warm accommodations.

The local grocery stores remained open so that residents were able to get groceries and essentials. Wilson Home Building Centre and Scott’s Home Hardware were also open during the week.

Chief Burt stressed the importance of ensuring that your carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. He credited carbon monoxide detectors as saving lives during this storm. Chief Burt indicated that there were instances of carbon monoxide buildup outside moving indoors. He advised to turn off your generator every 8 hours to allow it time to cool.

Kudos to Hydro crews, Municipality staff/workers, emergency workers and community members

Many hands were involved in helping the storm recovery efforts, residents and the Municipality expressed their thanks to:

-the Hydro crews, some coming from across Ontario, who helped restore power to the area;

-Public Works and other Municipal staff and contractors who worked to open facilities and clear roads. Their dedication and hard work ensured that roads were reopened and access restored throughout the community and that residents had access to showers, ability to charge electronic devices, etc.

-Emergency staff who left their homes/families, in cases homes without power, to help the community. With the sheer volume of calls this winter season with over 62 calls (typically in the 1st quarter the Fire Service gets less than 25 calls in a given year), has been taxing on their resources; and 

-the community for looking out for each other. 

Chief Burt stated this type of cooperation helps a community to get through a natural disaster.