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The Province Is Prepared To Respond To Spring Flooding Season During COVID-19.

The Province is working with several partners, including the federal and municipal governments, to come up with measures to help communities that are at risk during flooding season.

ONTARIO — The provincial government is working with several partners to prepare and respond to any flooding situation across Ontario amid COVID-19.

As part of Ontario's flood preparedness planning, the Province has been developing evacuation plans with the federal government, municipalities and First Nations partners. In recognition of the impact COVID-19 has had cities on this year, the government is taking the lead on looking for suitable locations to host evacuees and not having to rely on municipal resources for various supports, including health care and social services.

The Province has taken steps to ensure that provincial, federal and non-governmental resources, such as the Canadian Red Cross, can be deployed to minimize the burden on local communities as much as possible.

Premier Doug Ford provided a flooding update today.

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott were also on hand for the update.

"During these unprecedented times, our government is prepared for any scenario, and that includes the spring flooding season. By working together with our federal, municipal, and First Nations partners and putting our provincial flooding strategy into action, we have taken the critical steps needed to help keep people and communities safe."

Ontario has also been involved with the federal government to support First Nations communities staying on their lands as long as it's safe to do so, including temporarily relocating those First Nations community members to higher and safer grounds within their own communities. Moving community members from reserve to traditional hunt camps or other remote sites also addresses concerns around the potential spread of COVID-19 to these vulnerable communities.

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski says they're working with partners to prepare for any scenario.

"Our staff are closely monitoring ongoing flooding risks across the province and working with partners and communities on any areas of concern. We are ready to respond to any requests for sandbags during this very challenging time. We also continue to work with our partners to advance the important long-term initiatives outlined in Ontario's Flooding Strategy, which will help us become more resilient to flooding events in the years to come."

The current provincial projections show there is a moderate-to-high risk of flooding in northern Ontario and on the James and Hudson Bay coasts, based on current provincial projections and it is where staff are closely monitoring all major tributaries in anticipation of ice breakup, expected to begin in early May. As of April 30th, surveillance flights have started across the Far North to monitor these ice breakups, with operations based out of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Moosonee Field Office.

There is also a risk of shoreline flooding from snow melt in southern Ontario along the Great Lakes. The Surface Water Monitoring Centre in Peterborough continues to monitor water levels in other areas at risk throughout the province, including communities in the Ottawa Valley and along the Great Lakes.

Solicitor General Jones says they'll be able to help those in need.

"Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our emergency management personnel and partners, we will be able to safely evacuate Northern communities and provide for their needs until they can safely return home. We continue to monitor flood risks and we are assessing all necessary actions to maintain the safety and wellbeing of communities. We will be ready to proceed with evacuations should the need arise."

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford says during flooding season they'll make sure Indigenous communities are safe.

"Our government will continue to work with First Nations leadership and the federal government to ensure the safety of remote Indigenous community members during the flood season. If or when an evacuation occurs, it will be conducted in the safest way possible, providing additional support to evacuees and northern host communities. Indigenous leaders across the province have taken critical steps to protect their communities from the spread of COVID-19 and we will continue to support those efforts through out the flooding season."

The government released Protecting People and Property: Ontario's Flooding Strategy in March, outlining the steps the Province is taking to reduce flood risks and help people in Ontario become more prepared for flooding events. Increasing access to current and timely information and establishing a flood mapping technical team are among the actions outlined in the strategy.

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