Plows have been pulled off of local roads due to white-out conditions, Norfolk County said Friday night in declaring a ‘significant weather event’ in the county.
The announcement was made at 6 pm Friday as the winter storm continues to blast the province.
White-out conditions and concern over safety, led the county to pull the plows off of Norfolk roads.
The notice will be lifted when weather and concern for staff safety improves, said the county.
“Residents are advised to use extra caution and should remove any parked vehicles from the road to allow plows to clear roads,” said the release.
The county along with 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.”
Brant OPP closed a stretch of Highway 24 between Bethel Road and Colborne Street West 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
Flooding was reported in some lakeshore areas in Norfolk and Haldimand counties.
On Friday morning, Haldimand County announced the closure of some roads in the Port Maitland and Lowbanks area. “High winds and strong wave action is causing flooding in lakeshore areas, and Haldimand County Emergency Services is advising residents to avoid non-essential travel along the lakeshore and shelter in place if in an affected area,” said a news release.
In a storm warning update on Friday afternoon, Environment Canada is warning of wind gusts of 100-120 km-h in Norfolk County creating widespread blowing snow.
Five to 15 centimeters of snow are expected by Saturday morning.
“Blizzard conditions and higher snowfall amounts are possible near Lake Erie as a result of snow squalls,” said the national weather service.
Temperatures plummeted throughout the day on Friday. At just before 7 pm the temperature in Simcoe was -16 C, but with wind chill felt like -31 C, said Environment Canada.
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.
With files from Brian Thompson