Flood-prone Minden Hills business fights back with $65K berm investment
After repeated devastating floods, a Minden Hills funeral home owner invested $65,000 in a berm, which is now proving effective during the April 2026 state of emergency in Haliburton County
Kirsten Monk, owner of a Minden Hills funeral home, has faced multiple instances of severe flooding that devastated both her home and business.
“In 2017, we piled 22,000 sandbags around this property, but still lost it,” Monk shared.
Determined to protect her property, Monk invested nearly $65,000 in a protective berm in 2019. That decision is now proving valuable during the April 2026 state of emergency in Haliburton County, where rising waters have damaged homes and cut off crucial roads.
“If we flood again, the deductible is $50,000. We just can’t afford more damage—that’s why we did this,” Monk explained.
The berm seems to be holding back the water, but past experiences have made the family extra cautious. Additional precautions, including sandbags and a vapour barrier, are being deployed.
“When water seeps into the sandbags, it can get through. The vapour barrier adds a layer of protection,” she said.
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Flood insurance is another challenge for those living in flood-prone areas. Many, including Monk, struggle with the high costs or unavailability of coverage.
Despite uncertainties, Monk reflects confidently on the investment: “It was a lot of work and money, but it’s working.”