Snow and strong winds have severely impacted much of midwestern Ontario.
Road conditions due to the winter storm were so bad on Monday that Bruce County and Perth East had to take snow plows off the roads. They were expected to be back out by 4 a. m. on Tuesday. While efforts to clear the snow resumed, many roads remained closed, including Highway 21 from Grand Bend to Port Elgin, all county-managed roadways in Bruce County, and all rural roads in Saugeen Shores.
Stranded and abandoned cars are making it tough for snow removal teams, according to officials in Bruce County.
School buses were canceled in Huron-Perth, Grey-Bruce, and Wellington County. The Avon Maitland District School Board, the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, the Bluewater District School Board, and the Upper Grand District School Board closed all schools and board offices for the day.
The widespread road closures and dangerous weather also forced the South Bruce Grey Health Centre to shut down the Chesley Emergency Department for Tuesday. Ambulances are being redirected to the nearest open emergency departments, and anyone needing non-urgent care in the area is advised to call Health Connect Ontario at 811. The Chesley emergency department will reopen at 7 a. m. on Wednesday.
A complete list of closures and cancellations can be found on the CKNXNews Today. ca closures page.
More snow is expected throughout Tuesday. The amount you’ll see depends on your location in midwestern Ontario. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for North Huron County and North Perth County, a snow squall warning for Bruce County, Grey County, and North Wellington County, as well as a blowing snow advisory for South Huron County and South Perth County.
Areas under the travel advisory could see an additional 5 to 10 centimeters of snow during the day with near-zero visibility at times.
Snow squalls might drop between 15 to 25 centimeters on the Bruce Peninsula and North Grey, 40 to 70 centimeters on South Grey and South Bruce, along with 10 to 15 centimeters on North Wellington through Tuesday night.
Regions with a blowing snow advisory should expect about 2 to 4 centimeters by day’s end.
Police continue urging those who can stay home until conditions improve. For those who decide to drive, OPP reminds everyone about clearing all snow and ice from their vehicles.
“Seeing several vehicles this morning traveling down the highway failing to clear off the top of their vehicles. That ice and snow is now blowing off and landing on other vehicles coming down the roadway which can potentially cause a hazard or even worse a crash,” Sergeant Ed Sanchuk said in a video posted on social media. “We are just asking everyone to take an extra five minutes to clean off their vehicle entirely.”
Sanchuk also highlighted how important it is to carry an emergency kit in your vehicle if you break down or get stuck.
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