Contact(s)
Do you have questions about damaged trees, fences, sheds and more?
The City of Orillia has put together answers to the most common questions we are receiving from residents. Read the Trees, Fences, Sheds and Signs FAQ.
City of Orillia terminates state of emergency after historic ice storm
As recommended by the Community Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Chief, Chris Ferry, and the Emergency Operations Centre Commander, Roger Young, the City of Orillia has officially terminated the state of emergency effective April 9, 2025, as conditions have stabilized following the unprecedented ice storm and related impacts.
Supports remain available:
- Wellness Checks: If you or someone you know needs extra support, please call 211 to request a wellness check.
- Warmth and Charging: Rotary Place remains open as a charging station, and residents are welcome to visit other City of Orillia facilities during regular hours to warm up.
- The Lighthouse Shelter has resumed regular operations, including community programs such as bagged lunch distribution. Visit orillialighthouse.ca or call 705-329-2265 for details.
- Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital has resumed regular operations. Please visit osmh.on.ca or call 705-325-2201 to learn more about hospital operations and services.
- The Couchiching Ontario Health Team provides various health care supports including supporting patients who do not have a primary care provider, information about where to access care, and connecting patients with services like Chronic Disease management, palliative care, seniors support, mental health support and more. Visit COHT.ca or contact 211 for more information.
- Food Services: Residents who require help with food access can contact the Sharing Place Food Centre at 705-327-4273 or visit sharingplaceorillia.org for more information.
The Emergency Operations Centre will stand down, and the City’s Senior Leadership Team will resume standard operations while continuing to monitor and respond to recovery needs.
Read the full news release.
Latest News
Information and Support Helpline - 211
The City of Orillia is working with 211 Ontario to help residents access up-to-date information and available support resources as we recover from the historic ice storm. Residents are encouraged to call 211 for non-emergency inquiries related to shelter, food access, wellness checks, volunteer opportunities, and other community services. 211 is available 24/7 and connects callers with trained professionals who can guide them to the appropriate local supports.
Relief Centre
Please note that the Relief Centre at the Orillia Recreation Centre will close effective Monday, April 7 at 6 p.m. Read the full news release.
Support Services Remain Available:
The City has been working closely with community partners to arrange alternative supports for those who have been spending the night at the Relief Centre, ensuring a safe and smooth transition as the facility closes.
- Wellness Checks: If you or someone you know needs extra support, please call 211 to request a wellness check.
- Warmth and Charging: Rotary Place remains open as a charging station, and residents are welcome to visit other City of Orillia facilities during regular hours to warm up.
- The Lighthouse Shelter has resumed regular operations, including community programs such as bagged lunch distribution. Visit orillialighthouse.ca or call 705-329-2265 for details.
- Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital has resumed regular operations. Please visit osmh.on.ca or call 705-325-2201 to learn more about hospital operations and services.
- Food Services: Residents who require help with food access can contact the Sharing Place Food Centre at 705-327-4273 or visit sharingplaceorillia.org for more information.
Orillia Recreation Centre:
The Orillia Recreation Centre will not immediately reopen for public programming, as the City takes a phased approach to resuming operations. City staff require time to reset, clean, and prepare the facility to ensure it is safe and ready for public use. The City will contact user groups directly regarding facility use. The Fitness Centre will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 5 p.m., followed by the full resumption of regular operations, including drop-in and scheduled programming, starting at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025. Fun Pass membership holders will receive a prorated refund for the duration of the closure. Visit orillia.ca/active for details.
Reporting Information
| Trees/Debris: |
| To report downed trees that are not life-threatening, please contact the Municipal Operations Centre at 705-326-4585. Calls will be logged and addressed based on priority. Please be patient. Only call 911 in emergency or life-threatening situations. |
| Power: |
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Power restoration is being lead by Hydro One. To report or check on power outages, contact Hydro One:
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| Sewer Backups |
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Please report sewer backups or related issues to the City immediately by calling 705-329-7249.
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Residential Property Brush Pick Up
City crews have begun residential brush collection. This will be a substantial undertaking and will take significant time to complete.
To assist in safe and efficient collection, residents must place downed tree brush and branches:
- On their front property, behind the sidewalk and off the roadway.
- Do not block sidewalks, roads, storm drains, or fire hydrants or hydro infrastructure.
City crews and contractors will be moving through the City in the coming days and weeks to chip and remove this brush material. Please do not mix any other materials in with the set out brush/branches.
For more information on regular curbside pick-up, please scroll to City Service Impacts.
| Private Property Clean Up |
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Residents are encouraged to contact a landscape or tree contractor of their choice and should also consult their insurance provider to review their coverage and policy details. Please be wary of scammers taking advantage of residents in a time of crisis. To protect yourself, ensure you gather proper information about the company, verify their legitimacy, and avoid paying in full upfront. |
| Waste Diversion Site Waiving Fees |
| The City of Orillia is waiving fees for disposal of storm-related debris at the Waste Diversion Site effective immediately. This includes brush, tree wood, stumps, wood chips, impacted drywall, spoiled food and water-damaged material. Staff will be monitoring loads coming in. Please ensure these are essential loads only (not household hazardous waste or electronics) and are materials that can’t wait until next week’s curbside pickup. Please expect delays and be patient while attending the Waste Diversion Site. |
| No Brush Burning |
| The City has received inquiries regarding burning brush on their property. Residents cannot burn brush on their property and must follow the Open-Air Burning By-law, which only allows for the burning of recreational fires using proper cut wood. |
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Property Clean Up Hazards |
| If you begin yard cleanup, exercise extreme caution. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is experiencing increased emergency room visits due to injuries from yard clean-up incidents. Residents are encouraged to hire a professional, if at all possible, especially the elderly. Hazards such as downed wires, sharp debris, and unstable branches may not be visible and can pose serious risks. Always treat all wires as live and keep a safe distance. Do not place debris, branches, or trees on roads or boulevards. This obstructs emergency response and delays cleanup efforts. |
Water
| Water Filling Station |
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A water filling station will be available in the parking lot at J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park (450 Atherley Rd.) to support those affected by ongoing power outages. This resource is available to residents of Orillia and surrounding communities who may be without access to water. The City of Orillia extends sincere thanks to the Town of Midland for their support and assistance in making this service available during the emergency response. Please bring your own containers for water collection. The station will remain available 24/7 until further notice. |
Charging Facility
Rotary Place, located at 100 University Ave., is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for access to power to charge devices.
Hydro Restoration
If your home or business has sustained electrical damage, ensure repairs are done safely by hiring a licensed electrician.
Damages to your home's electrical system may have to be fixed before the utility can reconnect power. If your electrical mast is pulled away from the wall, broken, or detached, follow this process from the Electrical Safety Authority.
Licensed Electricians in the Barrie & Orillia Area
City Service Impacts
| Waste Diversion Site |
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No garbage tags: Orillia residents will not need to tag their garbage between Monday, April 7 and Saturday, April 19. Spoiled food waste (still in packaging) will be permitted in the curbside garbage for this timeframe only. Residents are still encouraged to sort their food waste into their green bins as much as possible.
The City of Orillia is waiving fees for disposal of storm-related debris at the Waste Diversion Site effective immediately. This includes brush, tree wood, stumps, wood chips, impacted drywall, spoiled food and water-damaged material. Staff will be monitoring loads coming in. Please ensure these are essential loads only (not household hazardous waste or electronics) and are materials that can’t wait until next week’s curbside pickup. Please expect delays and be patient while attending the Waste Diversion Site.
Temporary Waste Diversion Site hours:
Waste Diversion Site fees waived: The City is waiving fees for the disposal of storm-related debris at the Waste Diversion Site until April 26, 2025. Accepted items include:
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| Waste Water Treatment Centre |
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April 6, 2025: Help Prevent Sewer Backups We understand many sump pumps are running non-stop due to the heavy rain and high water table — but it’s critical that sump pump water is NOT discharged into the sanitary sewer system. Doing so overwhelms the system and contributes to over-capacity operations at the Wastewater Treatment Centre, which can lead to requirements to conserve wastewater (limited flushing, dishwasher operation, laundry) and sewer backups in homes and across the network. Please discharge sump pump water onto your lawn or another safe outdoor area. Thank you for doing your part to protect our infrastructure during this challenging time.
April 5, 2025: Operations at the Wastewater Treatment Centre have now stabilized. A huge thank you to residents who conserved and reduced their usage. We are now in a position where wastewater usage can return to normal. Flush, do laundry, shower and run your dishwashers/do dishes as usual! We truly appreciate your patience and efforts during this challenging time.
April 4, 2025: While full operations have not yet resumed at the Wastewater Treatment Centre, conditions are stabilizing. The City’s primary digester is now operational, and staff continue to closely monitor wastewater levels. The components of the system that were on bypass are no longer on bypass. The City of Orillia responded to the impacts of a fire that occurred this week at the Orillia Wastewater Treatment Centre, which significantly impacted operations at the facility. Additionally, heavy rains of more than 50 mm in a short period of time also strained the system. The City’s Drinking Water is Safe
We want to reassure all residents that this incident does not affect the City’s drinking water supply. This is a wastewater system issue, related to sewage and drainage, not the drinking water system. The municipal drinking water remains safe and fully operational. Residents can continue to:
• Drink tap water
• Bathe and shower
• Use water for cooking, handwashing, and daily needs
There is no boil water advisory in effect, and no risk to the safety of the City’s drinking water.
Reporting Backups
Please report sewer backups or related issues to the City immediately during business hours at 705-329-7249 and after hours and weekends by calling 705-326-4671. |
| Transit |
| Orillia Transit will be running on its regular routes and schedule. Expect delays. The only identified stop that is not available at this time is Franklin Street at Forest Avenue. Riders are asked to please go to the next closest stop. For more information, visit orillia.ca/transit. |
| City Facility and Service Status |
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Roads |
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City crews and contractors have been hard at work clearing streets of debris to allow for vehicle traffic. All roads within the city have been reopened. |
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Parking |
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We recognize that some residents may need to park on the road due to blocked driveways from downed trees or powerlines. City by-law will be making exceptions to the Overnight Parking restrictions in those situations. If you do, please avoid parking near fire hydrants and be prepared to move your vehicle if needed, as Hydro One and emergency crews require clear access to complete restoration work safely. |
Safety Information
As power outages continue, residents are urged to prioritize personal safety and use extreme caution. Always treat downed power lines as live and stay at least 10 metres away and report them immediately. Never operate generators, barbecues, or fuel-burning appliances indoors or in enclosed spaces, as they pose a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Use battery-powered lights instead of candles to reduce fire hazards, and unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges. Please check on neighbours, especially seniors or vulnerable individuals, when it is safe to do so.
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Power Restoration Safety: |
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As power is restored across the city, the City of Orillia is urging residents to take extra precautions to stay safe:
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| Warning: Do Not Use Outdoor Heat Sources Indoors | ||
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Residents are strongly warned not to use barbecues, propane heaters, camping stoves, or gas generators indoors for heating. These devices produce carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal. Even partially enclosed spaces like garages or balconies are not safe for their use. If you're using candles for light or warmth, never leave them unattended and keep them away from anything flammable. |
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| Power Outage Safety Tips: | ||
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| How to Stay Warm Without Power | ||
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If you’re sheltering in place:
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| Health and Food Safety Resources: | ||
| Residents are encouraged to review the following emergency preparedness and safety resources from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: |
