Highway 21 closed all day Thursday due to blowing and drifting snow

It's been a few years since the Kincardine area saw roads closed and school bus routes cancelled in December.

But that was the case Wednesday night as Highway 21 was closed, and area school officials cancelled their buses, with students either picked up by their parents or billeted in Kincardine.

Numerous other roads were closed and rural buses did not run Thursday, as the fierce wind continued, causing blowing and drifting snow, and the frigid temperatures, with wind-chill, made it feel like minus-15 degrees Celsius outside. The area remained under an Environment Canada snowsquall warning throughout the day.

The storm also caused the cancellation of many events and the closure of businesses in the area.

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the following roads were closed in the South Bruce OPP detachment area:
 

• Highway 21 from Amberley to Southampton
• Highway 9 from Walkerton to Kincardine
• Bruce County Road 23/B-Line from Lorne Beach Road to Bruce County Road 15
• Bruce County Road 86 from Amberley to Lucknow
• Bruce County Road 4 from Walkerton to Hanover
• Bruce County Road 2 from Walkerton to Bruce County Road 3
• Bruce County Road 3/Elora Road from Highway 9 to Mildmay
• Bruce County 10 from Highway 21 to Hanover
• Bruce County Road 3 from Highway 9 to Highway 21   

The South Bruce OPP warned that the strong wind and blowing snow were creating pockets of zero visibility and very hazardous driving conditions. Police recommended motorists consider postponing non-essential travel until the storm passes.

For those who decide to travel, keep your headlights and tail lights on and clear of snow. Remember to keep your speed down - “If you see snow, go slow.” For up-to-date road/weather information, visit: www.brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions.php or call Bruce County Roads at 1-866– 266-7569, option “2”.

For information on winter driving, including recommended items for a vehicle emergency kit, visit: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/winterdrive/winterdrive.shtml/.

A section of Lake Range Drive, from Concession 2 to the Point Clark Community Centre, was temporarily closed Thursday afternoon due to downed power lines. The resulting power outage lasted about two hours.



Highway 21 was closed all day Thursday due to blowing and drifting snow

Meanwhile in the Huron County OPP detachment area, roads were closed, buses cancelled and schools were closed due to the storm.

The following roads remain closed:
 

• Highway 21 from Amberley to Bayfield

• Highway 8 from Goderich to Dublin

• Highway 4 from Exeter to Clinton

• Huron County Road 4 from Clinton to Wingham

• Huron County Road 3 from Bayfield to Brucefield

• Huron County Road 25 from Highway 21 to Perth County

• Huron County Road 1 from Carlow to Lucknow

• Huron County Road 8 from Auburn to Clinton

• Amberley Road from Highway 21 to Molesworth

• Harriston Road from Bluevale to Harriston

Police warn motorists that attempting to drive on these roadways is hazardous. Do not jeopardize your safety by driving on these roads.
 

Motorists should also be aware that other roadways, such as local municipal roads and secondary township roads, may not be suitable for travel. Exercise good judgement and avoid all unnecessary travel until the conditions improve and the roads are safe for travel.
 

Driving on a closed road may result in a $110 fine and three demerit points, if convicted.       
 

All motorists are encouraged to check weather and road travel conditions by calling 5-1-1 or checking on-line at www.Ontario.ca/trip for up-to-date road conditions for provincially-maintained highways. This bilingual service is available 24 hours a day and provides updates on highway closures and road conditions.
 

Do not call the OPP provincial communications centre for road and weather conditions. Police will not provide this information. By calling the centre, it ties up phone lines and personnel used for emergency calls.

The weather is expected to improve by tomorrow and into the weekend.

Not everyone was upset with the snowfall, as students at Ripley-Huron Community School enjoyed playing in the snow during recess, Wednesday morning (see photos in Photo Gallery below).