Northern Ont. communities declare emergencies after severe storm damage

CTV News

13 hours ago

A photo of Highway 630 near the area's main power station the morning of June 22, 2025. (Source: Olivia-Daisy Collins/Facebook | Photo Credit: Scott Ferron)
A state of emergency has been declared in both Bonfield and Calvin after a violent storm tore through northern Ontario late Saturday night, leaving flooded roads, downed trees, and trapped residents in its wake.
The Municipality of Calvin issued a shelter-in-place order, warning that all municipal roads are closed due to flooding and debris. Highway 17 remains shut between Bonfield and Mattawa, with access to Samuel de Champlain Park blocked.
Highway 17 Closed
A road closure sign placed by Ontario Provincial Police west of Mattawa on Highway 17 on June 22, 2025. The roadway is closed between Bonfield and Mattawa due to unsafe conditions following a severe storm. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontairo)
'Flooding and downed trees have forced all municipal roads to close. Highway 17 at Junction 630 to Mattawa is closed. No access to Samuel de Champlain Park,' Calvin Township stated in a social media post early Sunday.
Canadian Ecology Centre - Bill Steer Photo
A photo posted on June 22, 2025, by Bill Steer, the founder and general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre, showing the devastation caused by a severe storm in the area. (Bill Steer/Facebook)
Canadian Ecology Centre hit hard
Bill Steer, the founder and general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre in Samuel de Champlain Park, described the storm and its aftermath.
'It was around 9 p.m. that the wind started to pick up, and there was a lull. Then, afterwards, I called my daughter at about 9:13. The winds picked up. Things started crashing down on the cabin,' Steer told CTV News.
He recounted taking cover as a tree crashed through his roof.
'I got up, went over to the strongest part of the cabin, got on all fours, and then a tree came in through the roof in the corner,' he said.
'It was all over in about 30 seconds.'
Gilles Brisebois - Facebook - Hwy 17 west of Mattawa just after 10 pm
A photo taken from a vehicle on Highway 17 west of Mattawa just after 10 p.m. on June 21, 2025. (Gilles Brisebois/Facebook)
Despite the destruction, Steer confirmed that all staff and visitors at the ecology centre were accounted for.
'All is well enough at the Canadian Ecology Centre after last night's extreme weather event,' he posted on social media.
'Devastation... trapped here by trees. Again... everyone is accounted for, the generators are on.'
Canadian Ecology Centre - Bill Steer Photo
A photo posted on June 22, 2025, by Bill Steer, the founder and general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre, showing the devastation caused by a severe storm in the area. (Bill Steer/Facebook)
Officials advised that following the evacuation, the centre may be forced to close for some time for repairs and clean up.
Canadian Ecology Centre - Bill Steer Photo
A photo posted on June 22, 2025, by Bill Steer, the founder and general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre, showing the devastation caused by a severe storm in the area. (Bill Steer/Facebook)
Emergency response underway
The Ontario Provincial Police have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel as crews work to clear debris and assess damage.
'Highway 17 remains closed between Bonfield and Mattawa due to unsafe conditions caused by severe weather,' the OPP stated in a news release at about 9 a.m. on Sunday.
'Emergency responders are working as quickly and safely as possible.'
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Mike Rodden Arena in Mattawa.
'Coats, blankets, water and batteries were made available to individuals affected by the closure at Champlain Park,' said OPP officials.
'Those needing shelter, not able to get home, shelter and food available there,' Calvin Township confirmed.
Calvin's Deputy Mayor Bill Moreton declared the emergency early Sunday, citing 'heavy damage and injuries' at Champlain Park.
'Many roads are washed out, and culverts are eroding, making any travel unsafe,' he said.
Olivia-Daisy Collins - Facebook - Credit Scott Ferron - 1
A photo of Highway 630 near the area's main power station the morning of June 22, 2025. (Source: Olivia-Daisy Collins/Facebook | Photo Credit: Scott Ferron)
'If you are currently delayed due to road closures or sheltering in place, please remain patient and stay where you are if it is safe to do so,' advised authorities.
Cell and landline service is non-existent in some areas in the region.
'Red Cross is on scene at the arena, to receive the evacuees,' said Calvin Township in an update just before 11 a.m. on Sunday.
'OPP is looking for anyone who may have evacuated (Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park) already on their own, to contact the North Bay OPP Detachment at 705-495-3878 to confirm your well-being,' police said in a social media update around noon.
Bonfield also hit hard
In nearby Bonfield, roads were left impassable after the storm.
'Pine Lake Road has been temporarily repaired for one lane of traffic. McNutt Road is closed, and Talon Lake Road is one lane,' the township posted at 6:25 a.m. Sunday.
'Line 3 is water-covered and one lane near tracks.'
Volunteers worked through the night to clear fallen trees.
'We made it up to Kearney Lake but couldn't clear it completely,' one resident's social media post read.
'The access road is now drivable but in bad shape.'
The same post speculated, '100% must have been a tornado.'
Olivia-Daisy Collins posted photos that her boyfriend, Scott Ferron, took of Highway 630, showing the roadway almost completely destroyed by the storm near the area's power station.
Olivia-Daisy Collins - Facebook - Credit Scott Ferron - 3
A photo of Highway 630 near the area's main power station the morning of June 22, 2025. (Source: Olivia-Daisy Collins/Facebook | Photo Credit: Scott Ferron)
Additional resources deployed
The OPP has called in its emergency response teams, canine units, and military support from Petawawa to assist with recovery efforts.
Military leaving base
Canadian Armed Forces vehicles and personnel leaving the Garrison Petawawa are shown in this undated photo. (Photo Credit: Corporal Sobotka of the 32 Canadian Brigade Group | Source: 33 Canadian Brigade Group/Facebook)
In a related incident, two campers in Algonquin Park were injured when a tree fell on their site. One was airlifted to hospital by a Ministry of Natural Resources float plane.
'The Ministry of Natural Resources has also been contacted for support,' OPP said Sunday morning.
North Bay City Councillor Tanya Vrebosch confirmed that North Bay Fire Services deployed personnel overnight to assist.
North Bay fire engine - file
An undated photo of a North Bay fire engine with its doors opened. (File photo/North Bay Professional Firefighters/Facebook)
'After seeing pictures of some of the damage caused, I reached out this morning to see if we would be sending out any of our public works staff as well,' she said on social media.
'To our neighbours in the Mattawa area, please reach out if you need anything.'
North Bay had brought in resources to backfill within the city.
East Ferris and West Nipissing's fire services joined rescue efforts on Sunday morning.
CTV News has also confirmed that Anishinabek Police Services are in the area offering emergency assistance.
Anishinabek Police Services - Highway 17
Officers and equipment from the Anishinabek Police Services heading down Highway 17 to assist with evacuation efforts in the Mattawa area on June 22, 2025, following a severe storm. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Uncertainty over tornado
Environment Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area Saturday night, but there has been no official confirmation of a tornado.
CTV News has reached out to the Northern Tornadoes Project, which is now reviewing the information available to determine the magnitude of the weather event.
Steer, surveying the damage at dawn, described an eerie scene.
'Can't see any cabins for all the downed trees in the distance,' he said in a video statement posted to social media.
'There's literally hundreds of trees down.'
Canadian Ecology Centre - Bill Steer Photo
A photo posted on June 22, 2025, by Bill Steer, the founder and general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre, showing the devastation caused by a severe storm in the area. (Bill Steer/Facebook)
Despite the destruction, he remained cautiously optimistic.
'The sky has elements of blue. Apparently, they are working their way through the park,' he said.
Area residents are advised to call 911 for emergencies and or the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 for updates.
With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Eric Taschner