Brush clean up and collection
To support the cleanup process from the March 30th ice storm that affected homes and businesses across the region, County of Simcoe waste drop-off sites will be accepting brush debris, free of charge, until the end of June, 2025.
Note that root balls are not considered brush and will be charged at the full waste disposal rate.
This applies to all residents, businesses and municipalities in the County. Private debris contractors will NOT be charged for brush debris unless the material is clearly unrelated to the storm. Root balls will have a charge applied, as they require additional processing.
For a full list of County waste drop-off facilities, including details on expanded operating days and temporary brush drop-off sites, please click here.
Starting Friday, May 9, 2025, and up until Friday, May 23, residents across the County can submit requests for brush pickup from specific addresses, with collections commencing on Tuesday, May 20. It is important that residents place all brush material curbside by Monday, May 19 to ensure collection as timing of collection may vary; however, materials will be collected. Please note that this service is not available to residents of Barrie and Orillia.
All County residents must place ALL Brush curbside by MAY 19:
Residents can utilize this interactive map to see if their home address falls into one of the highly impacted areas currently receiving collection and/or chipper crews.
Curbside brush preparation (smaller brush, branches and limbs):
- Regular leaf and yard waste trucks are currently collecting smaller brush piles (as well as leaf and yard waste)
- These trucks can only collect branches/limbs up to 2 meters in length and 10 centimeters in diameter and we ask that piles be manageable for one person to clear.
- Bundling of brush is NOT required, but it’s preferred as it will help us help our communities faster!
Curbside brush preparation (larger brush, branches and limbs):
- The County, with our municipalities, has procured additional resources to collect and process larger brush debris.
- Larger limbs can be left at a safe distance from the curb and will be collected and processed in time.
TIP: Sort debris into larger and smaller brush piles. Crews will collect what they can now and return later for larger branches and limbs.
Please remain patient as this may take months to clean up. The County will continue to communicate with residents through social media and the Simcoe County Collects App.
Unbundled brush, large branches and logs are accepted at all County Waste Facilities, no limits apply. Brush debris will be accepted free of charge at Waste Facilities, from March 31 through the end of May 2025. Root balls are not considered brush and will be charged at the full waste disposal rate. See ‘Free Brush Drop off’ for more information.
Regular leaf and yard waste collection will begin across the region during the weeks of April 28 and May 5. Residents will receive three weeks of collection, occurring bi-weekly. Always place material out on the Monday of your garbage collection weeks, by 7 am. For more information, please click here.
Quick tips on brush collection, drop-off
Services & Supports
We are aware of emergency relief/warming centres that are available in the following communities.
Please note, this information is subject to change regularly. We try our best to keep the most up-to-date information posted as we are made aware of updates.
- Tay: Residents are welcome to warm up and charge devices at any of the Tay Township Public Library Branches, which remain open during their regular hours. Visit tay.ca/library to review their hours of operation.
- Barrie: Allendale Rec Centre, 190 Bayview Dr., Barrie
- Midland: please visit either location listed below to warm up (bring your own blankets & refreshments), charge electronic devices (bring your own charging cables & blocks), and fill up your personal water bottles.
- North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
(open Monday from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
- Town Hall, 575 Dominion Ave., Midland
(open Monday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
- Clearview:
Station 5 (Singhampton), 794055 County Road 124, Singhampton,8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Emergency Hub & Fire Administration Centre, 6993 Highway 26, Stayner, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Springwater: Township Community Halls are currently closed to user groups. Updates on reopening will be provided when available.
- Administration Centre (2231 Nursery Road) remains open to the public as an emergency warming and relief centre. Hours: 8:30 AM- 8:00 PM
Priority is given to those with medical needs. Service dogs are welcome. Bring your own chargers and reusable water bottles.
Please sign in with staff upon arrival. - Elmvale Community Arena (14 George Street) remains open to the public as a relief centre.
(hours: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Includes access to rest rooms and showers. Charging electronic devices (please bring your own electronic chargers) – priority will be given to medical devices. Access to water (please bring a reusable water bottle).
- Administration Centre (2231 Nursery Road) remains open to the public as an emergency warming and relief centre. Hours: 8:30 AM- 8:00 PM
- Ramara:
-
-
- The Township Administration Building, located at 2297 Highway 12, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Residents are able to charge their devices, use the public facilities, and get warm
- For local updates, visit Ramara’s webpage at www.ramara.ca/Ice-storm-response
- The Township Administration Building, located at 2297 Highway 12, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
-
-
Beausoleil First Nation
The Recreation Centre will serve as the warming centre. Shower facilities are also available at the Recreation Centre.
- Chippewas of Rama First Nation
- Community Members can visit the MASK to stay warm or charge essential devices. Should hydro not be restored, the MASK will be open beyond regular hours as a designated emergency shelter.
Please contact your private insurance company if you have damage to your property.
As some local municipalities have declared a State of Emergency, including the County of Simcoe, over the coming weeks, the Ontario Government will notify the public if they have activated a Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program for this particular weather event.
This decision has not been made and is the jurisdiction of the Ontario Government (not the local municipalities or the County of Simcoe). For details click here.
These are available in addition to the regular Winter Warming Centres provided throughout the winter months.
For information on Winter Warming Centres: click here.
Due to the recent ice storm, all users are advised to exercise increased caution if entering Simcoe County Forests.
For more information, please click here.
If you’re facing continued power outages, please ensure that all generators and BBQs are operated outdoors only. Indoor use can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide exposure which could lead to severe health risks.
For more information: click here.
Hydro One is the authority to communicate Power Outage timing and information. As we coordinate with municipal and provincial partners on the response, we encourage residents who remain without power to plan for continued impacts, and if in need, access the resources offered by your municipalities and the County as outlined below, on our websites, and social media platforms.
To view Hydro One’s Storm Centre Outage Map for real-time updates on power outages, please click here. For emergency tree trimming requests on or near power lines and to report fallen power lines, please call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235
CONTACT INFORMATION
County of Simcoe
Service Simcoe Contact Centre
1-800-263-3199
service@simcoe.ca
Information and Support
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.