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Update on status of natural disaster responses in Northwestern (NW) Ontario

There are no disaster updates at this time.

Links to NW Emergency Management Resources

Visit the Ministry of Natural Resources for up-to-date information on Restricted Fire Zones in Northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Transportation has Winter Road Conditions reports available from November to April every year, as well as Road Construction Reports throughout the summer months.

For information on flood forecasting, visit the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Flood Warnings website.

If you are interested in additional water-related resources, such as low water conditions reports for the northwest regions, visit the following Ministry of Natural Resources’ Water Resources Web page.

For information on chemical spills, contact the Ministry of the Environment, Northwest regional offices:

Thunder Bay
Toll free number from area code 705/807: 1-800-875-7772
Tel: (807) 475-1205
District office: Tel (807) 475-1315

Kenora
Toll free number: 1-888-367-7622
Tel: (807) 468-2718

Or visit Ministry of the Environment’s Spills Action Centre Web page.

For up to date information on Avian Flu visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Avian Flu Web page.

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO)

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) is the Province’s first line of response during an emergency. In the event of a disaster, municipalities can contact EMO with any information regarding the disaster or emergency. 

For more information on emergency response and preparedness please visit the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’, Emergency Management Ontario Web site, where you will find useful resources such as a disaster checklist in the event of a disaster.

EMO contacts

Duty Officer, General Inquiry (during business hours)
Phone: (416) 314-3723
Fax: (416) 314-3758
Duty Officer (24/7)
Phone: (416) 314-0472

Dale Smyk
Community Officer
EMO, Emergency Management
Tel:  807-622-4650
Fax: 807-622-4684
E-mail: Dale.Smyk@ontario.ca
City of Thunder Bay, districts of: Thunder Bay, Kenora, Rainy River

In the event of a disaster or emergency, members of the public should immediately contact their local fire or police department for assistance.

Emergency Management Ontario offers many education and training opportunities for municipalities.  Find out more information on the courses offered by Emergency Management Ontario Training.

For more emergency preparedness resources and safety tips that you can do to protect yourself and your home, visit the Federal Government’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for information on Preparing Yourself and Your Family, Self-Help Advice and backgrounders on disasters that affect Canada. You can also visit the Ministry of the Environment for fact sheets and resources on how to prevent  emergencies such as West Nile Virus in your home.

The Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP)

The Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) is intended to alleviate the hardship suffered by private homeowners, farmers, small business enterprises and non-profit organizations, whose essential property has been damaged in a sudden and unexpected natural disaster, such as a severe windstorm, tornado, flood, forest fire or ice storm.  ODRAP provides funds to those who have sustained heavy losses for essential items such as shelter and the "necessities of life."

For more information, visit the ODRAP Web site or contact the Northwestern Municipal Services Office:

435 James St. S., Suite 223
Thunder Bay ON  P7E 6S7
General Inquiry:  807-475-1651
Toll Free #: 1-800-465-5027
FAX: 807-475-1196

Local Emergency Plans

Visit the following to view some local emergency plans:

• City of Dryden
• City of Kenora
• Township of Shuniah
• City of Thunder Bay
• Town of Fort Frances, Community Emergency Management
• Township of Manitouwadge, Emergency Evacuation Plans

Upcoming Events

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