The Municipality of Calvin remains under a state of emergency following a large-scale evacuation effort that has seen hundreds relocated from Samuel de Champlain Park to safety.
Most of the people have been evacuated from the park, confirms Calvin Mayor Richard Gould. Some have left the area, and many others are at the Mike Rodden Arena in Mattawa.
See: Hundreds of campers stranded in Algonquin Park by flash floods
The OPP says approximately 290 people have been evacuated from affected provincial parks.
"There have been several individuals who suffered injuries, but the extent of the injuries is not known at this time, and there are no fatalities reported," says the OPP.
Work has begun on Hwy 630, and people are being brought up the highway from Algonquin Park and taken by bus to Mattawa.
"Hwy 17 is now reopened between Bonfield and Mattawa, which is helping the situation and the Calvin Road Crew, with the help of Bonfield and Mattawa have been working furiously to fix the local roads," says Gould.
However, the Municipality of Calvin continues to be in a state of emergency.
ALL MUNICIPAL ROADS within Calvin remain compromised. Please continue to use caution and avoid unnecessary travel within Calvin, as our roads are still compromised at this time.
SAMUEL de CHAMPLAIN PARK - All injured have received appropriate medical aid. The medical community is coordinating patient/family connections to inform and update.
All displaced campers who are not local and who do not need medical attention are being housed and fed at the Evacuation Centre, Mike Rodden Arena, Mattawa. They can reach family members from the Evacuation Centre.
CANADIAN ECOLOGY CENTRE GUESTS AND STAFF - were at all times safe.
All FIRE DEPT PERSONNEL - from Calvin, Mattawa, and Bonfield have been relieved. They have been assisted by West Nipissing, North Bay, AND East Ferris Fire Depts and Mattawa Public Works, along with Bonfield Public Works. Most are no longer on site. OPP now has command of the park and is working to ensure the safe transportation of the few remaining campers to the Evacuation Centre.
OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREW, who have also been out all night and day, has headed home for some much-needed sleep. We DO have a "fresh" member on standby to respond to road-related calls, should there be any. 705 497 6961, as always, is our after-hours line for all municipal infrastructure emergencies (bridges, culverts, roads, recreation hall and park etc.)
OUR MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY CONTROL GROUP MEMBERS +are in constant communication and continue to meet, as necessary.
"We could not have done what needed to be done without all groups and people within them mentioned above, or without the Town of Mattawa Mayor and numerous staff who worked with us throughout the night and all of today," praised Gould.
"Add to this list, numerous service groups in Mattawa -Royal Canadian Legion & Mattawa Lions, Canadian Red Cross, Emergency Management Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, First Student (bus line), Ornge team, Global Medic, 211. We certainly may have missed a few, however, not intentionally. In the coming days, we will be able to provide more detail and greater recognition, but NEVER enough appreciation to ALL involved. You number near well over 150 individuals. THANK YOU!!"
Gould says for now, the situation is stable, and people are safe.
"Our roads need a lot of TLC," explains Gould. "Everyone involved in the response, many all-night Saturday and all day today, are tired and need some respite. Please help us to continue to do our jobs the best we can by staying home".
Call Ontario 211 at 1 877 330 3213 to request info about loved ones you may not have heard from yet.
Follow Ontario 511 for Highway 17 and Highway 630 updates.
HWY 630 to Kiosk Provincial Park remains closed due to extensive highway damage. It is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
All campers will be evacuated tonight. They are being housed and fed at the Mike Rodden Arena. No injuries are reported. The first of two bus loads have arrived at the arena. This rescue effort is being coordinated by the province. Call Ontario 211 at 1 877 330 3213 for updates.
"So many people have come together to help. The Calvin Fire Department and the fire departments of West Nipissing , Bonfield, East Ferris, Mattawa, and North Bay. To help with roads, we have to thank the Roads Department of Mattawa and Bonfield, who helped our own roads department, which worked very hard to keep people safe. To help the people who were displaced, we have to thank the Red Cross, the Staff of the Town of Mattawa, the Legion and many other volunteers too numerous to mention."
Gould also thanked the OPP, the EMO and staff at Samuel Champlain Park with a special thanks "to our own staff who worked tirelessly to keep things together. Thanks to our CEMC (Emergency Management), our CAO and the rest of the administration."