TORONTO — Snow-clearing crews are slowly making progress after an intense weekend storm battered components of Ontario, permitting Freeway 11 north of Toronto to reopen on Monday.
However one of many hardest-hit communities in Ontario’s cottage nation continues to be beneath a state of emergency and urging individuals to remain residence as cleanup continues.
The northbound lanes of Freeway 11, which had been closed between Orillia and Huntsville, reopened round midday on Monday. Ontario Provincial Police mentioned the southbound lanes would additionally reopen later within the afternoon.
Nonetheless, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt mentioned that not each freeway entrance and exit has reopened as snow plowing continues.
The extended closure of Freeway 11 and the buildup of greater than a metre of snow prompted Gravenhurst, a city in Ontario’s Muskoka area, to declare a state of emergency over the weekend.
It remained in impact Monday, with the city urging individuals to keep away from travelling by foot or automotive.
“Making an attempt to navigate roads hinders staff’ talents to cope with snow removing, downed bushes, and downed energy strains,” the city mentioned in an replace on its web site, noting that its emergency providers might not be capable of reply to calls.
“City snowplow crews and contractors proceed to clear roads, however this work is restricted and gradual due to obstacles throughout roads and snow quantity.”
Intense snow squalls shifted to components of southwestern Ontario on Monday, forcing the Thames Valley District Faculty Board within the London area to shut 5 faculties after college bus service was cancelled.
Surroundings Canada has issued a snow squall warning for areas together with London, Middlesex, Oxford County, Lambton County, and Huron-Perth, with as much as 60 centimetres of snow anticipated in some areas.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 2, 2024.
Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
