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Cannington, ON - April 17, 2025 – Effective April 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. the Township of Brock has officially terminated the State of Emergency due to stabilized conditions following the widespread impact of the ice storm.
“We’re all happy to be out of this State of Emergency. The residents of Brock have been great in coming through this and have showed their strong Brock spirit. I want to again thank all the volunteers, organizations, and businesses that stepped up to help. I also want to thank Township staff and the members of the Emergency Control Group for their hard work at getting Brock through this emergency. While not everything happened the way we wanted…. well done everyone!”
-Mayor Walter Schummer
Emergency Response Efforts
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The Brock Emergency Control Group met on Sunday March 30, 2025,and declared a State of Emergency due to widespread power outages, intermittent communication issues, and downed trees and power lines throughout the Township caused by the ice storm. This declaration activated the Township of Brock’s Emergency Control Group protocols, enabling rapid decision-making and coordination of support through the Emergency Operations Centre.
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The Township opened 6 warming and showering facilities across the municipality including the Brock Emergency Centre at the Beaverton Legion and potable water was made available at the 3 community centres for residents who were still without hydro in the days following the ice storm.
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Staff from Public Works and Recreation and Facilites departments worked tirelessly to support recovery efforts by providing warming stations and continued storm debris clean up throughout the Township.
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At the Brock Emergency Centre, the Beaverton Legion and Beaverton Lions Club members volunteered their time to serve hot meals and provide a safe space for residents to rest. Fishers Independent Grocer generously donated food, and the Red Cross provided important information to residents in need. We sincerely thank all the volunteers for their time, dedication, and incredible efforts in supporting our community during the ice storm.
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The Nourish and Develop Foundation opened their Community Hub for seven days straight, running both food bank and emergency supports to help our community stay safe, fed, and connected during a difficult time. They are a tremendous asset to Brock, and we are grateful for their dedication to our community and thank them for their hard work and effort during this storm.
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The Region of Durham Emergency Social Services Team (ESS) were available to residents at the Brock Emergency Centre and the Nourish and Develop Foundation providing residents with information and support related to Ontario Works (OW), mental health and crisis supports, assistance for seniors and help for residents navigating general social services and resources.
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Durham Region Waste provided 3 large waste bins in Beaverton, Cannington and Sunderland for residents to dispose of ice storm related waste.
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Durham Region Transit provided transit for residents from the Beaverton Emergency Centre to the shower facilities located at the Foster Hewitt Memorial Community Centre.
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Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team (OVERT) performed wellness checks on residents in the Township and provided important information on emergency services available.
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Brock Township Fire Fighters attended over 60 calls between March 29 -April 7 with most of the calls being ice storm related. We sincerely thank the entire Fire Department for their time, dedication, and unwavering support of our community during the ice storm.
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The Brock Fire Department permitted a temporary Burn Permit Exemption for Brock residents to help with clearing downed brush and trees as long as regular permit guidelines were followed. This Fire Burn Exemption ends today April 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Please visit the Brock Fire Departments website to obtain a permit.
“I am very proud of the women and men of the Brock Township Fire Department for their dedication during the ice storm. We were faced with many challenges during the storm, but with the well trained, dedicated, and professional firefighters, those challenges were met with resolutions. My sincere thanks go out to the firefighters.”
-Fire Chief Rick Harrison
Township Service Updates
The Township is now focusing on recovery and long-term cleanup, as power has been restored to most of the area and infrastructure services are stable.
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All Township facilities are back to regular operating hours.
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All parks, playgrounds, sports fields and trails remain closed while assessments and cleanup are ongoing. Residents are asked to avoid closed parks and trails.
Curbside Brush Collection
Contractors and staff are still picking up storm related brush that was placed at the curb prior for the Monday April 7, 2025, deadline. No other brush will be picked up after the one-time emergency pickup. Any further brush and tree debris must be put out to the curb on yard waste day in accordance with Region of Durham Leaf and Yard Waste policy
Any illegal dumping on municipal property is in contravention to the municipal TrafficBylaw.
Region of Durham Leaf and Yard Waste
Any brush placed curbside after the one-time emergency pick up has been completed by the Township, will be addressed by Durham Region Waste as seasonal leaf and yard waste collection on regularly scheduled pickup dates. Materials must follow the guidelines below:
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Brush must be securely tied in bundles up to one metre
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Four feet long and 76 centimetres (30 inches) wide.
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No branch should be more than 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter.
Please visit durham.ca/WMF for more information and your seasonal bi-weekly pick up schedule.
Brock Waste Facility
Residents are encouraged to bring storm-related yard waste only to the Durham Waste Management Facilities in Oshawa, Scugog and Brock. Standard fees will be waived for dedicated loads of storm-related yard waste until further notice. Check durham.ca/WMF for more information
The Region’s Waste Management Facility in Brock will be closed Friday April 18 and Saturday April 19 for the Easter weekend. Regular hours start next week, Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit durham.ca/WMF for more information.
Do not begin cleanup until it is safe to do so. Hazards include:
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Downed wires, sharp debris, and unstable branches pose serious safety risks.
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Increased ER visits have been reported due to cleanup injuries.
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Hire professionals, when possible, especially for seniors or those without proper equipment.
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Never attempt to remove limbs caught in or near power lines — report them to your local utility.
Supports remain available:
Nourish and Develop Foundation Hub and Brock Community Food Bank
TDNF will be open Monday to Friday 9:00a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for regular programing in the community. Please visit their website for programming and services available.
The Brock Community Food bank is open Fridays 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the following locations
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St Andrew’s United Church 523 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
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St Andrew’s United Church 10 Church Street, Cannington
If you can, please consider a donation to the Nourish and Develop Food Bank or the Brock Community Food Bank to help replenish their stores for residents in need.