All roads remain closed; plowing focused on main arteries
While weather conditions have improved slightly, roads in Prince Edward County are not passable and very dangerous.
All roads remain closed on Sunday, December 25 under order of the Ontario Provincial Police. Driving on County roads is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.
“I know this is difficult to hear on Christmas Day, but it is not to safe to travel even though the weather warnings have ended,” Mayor Steve Ferguson. “More than 100 cars have been abandoned, which is hampering road clearing. Do not add to this total by venturing out today.”
Municipal plows are out this morning and prioritizing the main road arteries to support emergency services and areas where Hydro One is working to restore power. The municipality does not expect to plow secondary roads for several hours.
If you are stranded along the roadside, call the OPP’s non-emergency phone line at 1.888.310.1122. If you are waiting in your car with the engine running, clear your exhaust if it is covered by snow in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The OPP is receiving a high volume of calls. Only call if it is an emergency. The OPP does not have time to answer non-life threatening calls,” Mayor Ferguson reiterates.
Dial 911 in an emergency when you need immediate help from police, fire or ambulance services. An emergency situation can include medical emergencies such as someone experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing or a fire that is not contained or controlled.
The H.O.P.E Centre in Picton (46 King Street) and the Consecon fire stations (14 County Road 29) are open as an emergency warming centres if you are without power in Picton and Consecon. The County is advising residents to only go to the emergency warming centres on foot. DO NOT DRIVE.
Flurries and blowing snow will continue throughout the day on December 25. Local amount 5 cm. Wind will be out of the west 30 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. Temperature steady near minus 4 C. Wind chill near minus 13.
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