• The Township Administration Building, located at 2297 Highway 12, is open on April 3 from 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.   
• The Ramara Centre, located at 5482 Highway 12, is open on April 3 from 9 a.m.– 8 p.m. p.m. All programs are cancelled until further notice.
• The Ramara Township Public Library (Ramara Centre location) is open on April 3 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Residents are welcome to stop by to check out books and puzzles.
• The Brechin Mara Legion is open. For details on hours of operation, please contact the Legion at 705-484-5393.
• All facilities will be open for residents to charge their devices, use the public facilities, and get warm. 

• Hydro One: Hydro One is actively working to restore power to affected residents.  

• Operations crews are working to clear roads and respond to downed trees.  

• Emergency services remain fully operational and are responding to calls throughout the Township.   

• Ramara Fire and Rescue Services has a high volume of calls and asks the public to call 9-1-1 only in an emergency.  

• Township daytime phones are available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please leave a message for staff to return your call. Residents can also continue to report downed trees on public property or damaged roads by calling the After-Hours line at 705-484-5374, option 9, or online at www.ramara.ca/reportit.  

• The regular waste collection schedule continues today, where possible. Residents are reminded to put their containers on the road. If a road is missed due to debris or road closures, collection will be attempted again on Friday, April 4, 2025.
• Waste Drop-Off Sites: The County of Simcoe’s waste drop-off sites will be open on their regularly scheduled day. Brush debris will be accepted free of charge, from March 31 through April 28, 2025. Root balls are not considered brush and will be charged at the full waste disposal rate. Timing and extensions will be determined as cleanups continue.
• Where necessary, due to potential power outages for additional materials (beyond brush debris), it is possible that some sites may only be accepting cash transactions and may be based on volume rates (rather than scaled rates). 

County of Simcoe - Waste Drop-Off Locations

If residents and businesses have tree brush and branches, please place them:

• On the front or side of your property, away from the roadway.
  • With the anticipated weather conditions in the area, it is important to keep all tree brush and branches on your private property to ensure that our roadways remain clear for Emergency Services and Hydro One to carry out their work efficiently.
• Please do not block roads, storm drains, fire hydrants, or hydro infrastructure.
• Please do not place tree brush and branches on our public property, including trails, parks and roads.

Can I take my brush and debris somewhere?

To assist with cleanup, the County of Simcoe's waste drop-off sites will accept brush debris at no charge from March 31 to April 28, 2025. The Mara Waste Drop-off site, located at 5200 Country Road 169, is open Thursday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note that root balls are not accepted as brush and will incur full disposal rates.

The sites will operate on their regular schedules; however, some may lack power, may only accept cash transactions, and may charge by volume rather than by weight.

County of Simcoe Yard Waste

From April 14 to 25, the County of Simcoe's leaf and yard waste trucks will accept bundled brush but not bagged leaf and yard waste. We ask residents to be patient, as due to high volume, not all materials may be collected within the first few weeks of yard waste collection.

Leaf and yard waste collection will continue biweekly according to the regular schedule. Starting April 28, the materials may include both bagged leaf and yard waste as well as bundled brush. Residents are asked to place materials out on the Monday of their garbage week by 7 a.m.

For curbside collection, brush must be prepared as follows:

• Bundles should be secured with natural twine.
• Bundles should not exceed 2 meters in length and 30 centimeters in diameter.
• Individual branches should not exceed 7 centimeters in diameter.
• Branches should not exceed 2 meters in length.
• Logs are not accepted at the curb.

Brush that is not bundled or exceeds size limits may be left behind. 

Residents can access potable water in the following locations:

• Outdoor water tap located at Fire Hall #1 (3290 Ramara Road 47) in Brechin near the Canine Shelter.
• Barnfield Point Recreation Centre, located in Tudhope Park (450 Atherley Road, Orillia).

• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed hydro lines and report them to Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235. 

• Do not attempt to clear tree limbs that are leaning on or caught in powerlines – report them to your local utility. 

• Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fire.  

• Never use barbecues, propane heaters, or generators indoors – carbon monoxide can be fatal.  

• Keep sump pumps operating and drains clear to help prevent flooding from melting ice.  

• Never use a portable generator indoors. They produce fatal carbon monoxide fumes. Set them up outside away from windows, doors or vents to your or your neighbours’ house.  
• A generator should be 3 to 4 feet clear of anything combustible such as structures, deck, porches, or waste bins to prevent fire.

• If you're purchasing a portable generator, always look for a Canadian certification mark from an approved certification agency. 

• Don't attach a portable generator directly to your home's electricity system. It could cause power to flow back into the power grid and electrocute you or a utility worker, or damage the system. 

Residents are encouraged to follow these safety precautions during power outages:  

• Stay warm using blankets and layered clothing  

• Never use generators indoors or near open doors or windows due to carbon monoxide risk  

• Do not use barbecues, gas stoves, or camp stoves inside  

• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to preserve food  

• Use battery-powered lights instead of candles  

• Unplug electric vehicles to prevent power surges and protect the vehicle