The Township of Brock officially ended its State of Emergency on Thursday, April 17 at 4 pm, following steady improvements in conditions after a severe ice storm impacted the area.
Brock’s Emergency Control Group declared the State of Emergency on Sunday, March 30, after the ice storm caused widespread power outages, downed trees and power lines, and intermittent communication disruptions. The declaration activated the township’s emergency protocols and operations centre to coordinate the response.
To support residents during the crisis, the township opened six warming and showering centres, including the Brock Emergency Centre at the Beaverton Legion. Potable water was made available at all three community centres for residents without power. Public Works and Recreation staff worked continuously to keep warming stations operational and to begin clearing storm debris.
Community Response
The Beaverton Legion and Beaverton Lions Club, with food donations from Fisher’s Independent Grocer, helped provide hot meals to residents. The Red Cross and Region of Durham Emergency Social Services were on hand to offer support, including help with Ontario Works, mental health, and crisis services.
The Nourish and Develop Foundation also kept their Community Hub open for seven straight days, offering food bank and emergency services.
Durham Region Waste supplied large disposal bins in Beaverton, Cannington, and Sunderland for ice storm debris. Durham Region Transit provided shuttle service from the Beaverton Emergency Centre to shower facilities in Sunderland. The Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team conducted wellness checks on residents throughout the township.
Fire Department Response
Brock Township firefighters responded to over 60 calls related to the ice storm between March 29 and April 7. The fire department had temporarily lifted burn permit restrictions to help residents dispose of fallen branches and brush. That exemption expired on April 17 at 4:30 pm.
Next Steps
Now that power and infrastructure services have stabilized, the township is focusing on long-term recovery and cleanup. All township facilities have resumed normal operations, but parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and trails remain closed while assessments and debris removal continue, said Brock.
Residents are asked to avoid these areas until they are deemed safe. For more information and updates, visit www.townshipofbrock.ca.