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MANITOULIN—Following significant rainfall over the course of several days and fast snowmelt, Manitoulin Island is experiencing a high level of flooding which is wreaking havoc on some residents.

A drive through Mindemoya’s downtown core Tuesday morning saw businesspeople attempting to protect their stores with sandbags and water pumps as a torrent of water, which began at the community hall, flowed from Highway 542 down Yonge Street. The flooding even took its toll on the Manitoulin Health Centre Mindemoya site, which is currently managing a flood-related infrastructure issue that has impacted water and sewer services. As a result, the hospital is operating under Code Grey and has implemented temporary measures to ensure the continued safety of patients and staff.

The hospital remains open and operational, with a focus on providing urgent and essential care services, staff states.

Central Manitoulin has declared a state of emergency and asked its residents to avoid all flooded roads and avoid unnecessary travel. The municipality is also facing a drinking water advisory for al Mindemoya residents who are on the town drinking water system. The advisory has been on place since Monday.

In Assiginack, the municipality has also declared a state of emergency and asked residents to stay home if possible citing existing and potential washouts.

The following are a list of Assiginack’s road closures: Bidwell Road (local traffic only but impassable between Bragmore Lane and Weepoint Resort), Springbrook Road, Sunsite Estates Road (local traffic only), High Falls Park and the Assiginack landfill depot.

The Manitoulin OPP also shared areas experiencing severe flooding, including: Highway 542 and Highway 551 from Big Lake to Providence Bay, Evansville and urged motorists to watch for washouts between Little Current and Espanola and areas of Highway 540.

In the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the following roads are closed: Townline Road from Burnett’s Sideroad to Green Bay Road, Bidwell Road from Highway 540 to Indian Mountain Road, all of Rockville Road and the south end of Honora Bay Road. This municipality declared a significant weather event as of 7:30 am Tuesday morning.

In Wiikwemkoong, South Bay Road was completely washed out causing the community to find ways to transport children who live along that road safely from school. Thomas Bay Road is also closed as is Park Avenue. Motorists are also asked to exercise caution on Wikwemikong Way at the Two O’Clock Corner due to water accumulation.

The Town of Gore Bay also declared a significant weather event as of 9 am Tuesday morning.