Ontario Provincial Police are advising motorists to stay home unless travel is necessary.
High winds and snowfall are producing white-out conditions, reducing visibility on roads that are already slick with ice.
“The winter storm is causing zero visibility, so if you’re behind the wheel make sure you are reducing your speed,” said Norfolk OPP Cst. Ed Sanchuk in a video posted to Twitter on Friday. “OPP across southwestern Ontario are responding to hundreds of collisions.”
He said if you need to travel, ensure that you have a full tank of gas and full reservoir of windshield washer fluid.
“We are seeing people driving like it’s still summer time conditions, sliding through stop signs and hitting curbs. The roads are slick and you’re not going to be able to stop on a dime, even if you have winter tires,” Sanchuk said.
Brant OPP closed a stretch of Highway 24 between Bethel Road and Colborne Street West was closed for about an hour on Friday afternoon after tractor-trailers became stuck on the hill near Whiteman’s Creek. The highway re-opened at about 2:30 pm
In a storm warning update on Friday afternoon, Environment Canada is warning of wind gusts of up to 100 km-h creating widespread blowing snow.
Five to 15 centimeters of snow are expected by Saturday morning.
In Brantford, city staff are continuing snow-clearing efforts and will monitor conditions as more snowfall is expected tonight.
Temperatures plummeted to -15 C on Friday afternoon prompting Brant County’s medical officer of health to issue a cold alert.
Unprotected skin can freeze in less than 30 minutes and the risk of developing hypothermia is high, according to a health advisory issued by the City of Brantford.
People are urged to wear several layers of clothing, including a wind- and water-resistant outer layer, hats, mittens and face masks to protect against frostbite, and to drink warm caffeine- and alcohol-free liquids to prevent dehydration.
Anyone in need of emergency shelter can call the Housing Resource Center at 226-227-7692 or after hours at 519-753-4193.
At 4:45 pm Friday afternoon the temperature in Brantford was -17 C, but with wind chill felt like -32 C.
Seriously, if YOU don’t need to travel, please STAY HOME. #OPP urgent drivers to stay off the roads. #WinterStorm causing zero visibility, slick roads, and downed trees. Please DO NOT call 911 for road or weather conditions. @511ONWest. #ONStorm @NorfolkCountyCA #NorfolkOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/d1iZPwBDYz — OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) December 23, 2022