West Nipissing declares a State of Emergency

By Brad Aubin

The Municipality of West Nipissing has declared a State of Emergency due to flooding.

Officials say continued rainfall, rising water levels and deteriorating road conditions have resulted in localized flooding, road closures and safety risks.

“The West Nipissing Emergency Control Group is continuing to monitor conditions and assess the evolving situation,” shares the municipality in a Saturday (Apr. 18) update. “Public Works crews, the OPP, and West Nipissing Fire Services are conducting ongoing patrols in affected areas to support public safety and assess local impacts.”

Officials say if evacuation orders are issued by emergency services, residents are urged to comply immediately for their safety. Conditions can change rapidly during flood events, and timely evacuation is critical to personal safety.

Due to flooding and road washouts, the following closures are in effect:

• Highway 64 – Fully closed in both directions in Field
• Desjardins Street – Closed between Highway 539 and Lac Clair Road
• Leduc Road (Field) – Closed from Hwy 539 to Hwy 575
• Kipling West Road (Kipling) – Closure extended from #124 to Point Road
• Ashburton Road (Field) – Closed from Larocque to the dead end
• Coyote Ridge Road (Crystal Falls) – Closed from Shoreline Road to the dead end

Sand and Sandbag Information

The Municipality says Public Works crews are currently delivering sand to key locations. Sand piles are expected to be available by this evening if they are not already in place, at the following sites:

• Field:Jarbeau (outdoor rink)
• Sturgeon Falls:Lac Deux Mille (near Marleau), Quesnel (west end)
• Verner:End of Gareau Road, End of Eugene (near Arbour), Avenue du Lac, St-Jean (municipal beach), End of O’Brien Road (near Riddle Road), Cache Lake

The Municipality says residents are responsible for filling and transporting their own sandbags. Officials add limited supply of sandbags will be likely be available beginning tomorrow (Sunday) at the Verner Fire Hall for residents in urgent need to help protect critical infrastructure. Distribution details will be shared on the Municipality’s website and Facebook page when they become available. Bags may also be available at Sturgeon Falls Home Hardware, Simcoe Northern Supply, OCP Construction Supplies in North Bay and online.

For more information click here.

Brad Aubinhttp://www.mynorthbaynow.comBrad is Vista Radio's Senior News Director for Ontario. He was born in Sudbury, raised in Kapuskasing and has lived in the North Bay area for nearly 20 years. A Canadore College grad, he has worked for many newspapers across the north, and joined the broadcasting side of the business in 2020. The proud husband and father of two loves sharing important local and area news to listeners. If you have a news tip you'd like to share, e-mail baubin@vistaradio.ca.