Residents asked to avoid trails, woodlots as storm cleanup continues
Posted Sep 4, 2026 06:42:09 AM.
You might need to change your long weekend plans if you were looking to enjoy a hike around Waterloo Region.
In the City of Waterloo, officials are asking residents to avoid some trails while crews continue to clean up from Wednesday’s damaging storm.
“We are asking residents to avoid the use of City woodlots and forested trails until further notice as there is potential for hazards on the ground and in the canopy,” said Director of Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Services for the City of Waterloo, Robin Milne.
Cleanup is expected to take several days according to city officials.
Storm damage can be reported online here.
During the storm, the Waterloo forestry team received 118 calls, with fire rescue crews contacted over a dozen times in just one hour Wednesday evening.
In Kitchener, extensive damage was reported to trees in many areas of the city, with cleanup still underway Friday. Crews in that city also responded to dozens of calls Wednesday.
“While the most urgent needs and issues have been addressed, we continue to remind members of the public to be aware of the damage that may remain in upright trees and are at risk of falling,” read the most recent notice from the city.
“Please do not climb downed trees or around upturned root balls, respect work areas around forestry crews and obey signs, barriers, and fences around areas that are closed.”
Damage to city trees in Kitchener can be reported to the City’s Corporate Contact Centre at 519-741-2345.
In the Township of Wellesley, the damage was extensive, most notably in the Bamberg area where a damage survey team with the Northern Tornadoes Project has confirmed evidence of a tornado.
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