​Snowstorm causes closure of Highways 21 and 9 in Kincardine area, Saturday

It was a pleasant week in the Kincardine area until Saturday morning (March 1), when winter blasted back on the scene, as Highway 21 was closed, yet again, due to blowing and drifting snow.

At 4:47 a.m., the South Bruce OPP reported Highway 21, from Kincardine to Southampton, was closed. By 7 a.m., it was also closed from Kincardine to Amberley; and by 9 a.m., it was closed from Southampton all the way to Grand Bend, due to poor road conditions, with high wind and blowing snow causing poor-to-nil visibility.

At 7 p.m., police closed Highway 9, from Kincardine to Walkerton; as well as Bruce County Road 1, from Lucknow to Highway 9; Bruce County Road 7, from Ripley to Highway 9; and Bruce County Road 23, from Lorne Beach Road to Bruce County Road 20.

In the Municipality of Kincardine, the Tiverton Sports Centre was closed and figure skating was cancelled. The Davidson Centre remained open and the free skate continued as planned, but the pool was closed and the free swim was cancelled and will be re-scheduled.

Looking ahead to Sunday (March 2), the Davidson Centre will be closed until at least noon. As a result all drop-in activities and morning programs are cancelled. The arena, pool, health club and walking track are closed. The Tiverton Sports Centre will remain closed until at least noon, Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Huron County, the OPP was advising the public that March was “rolling in like a lion” in both Huron and Perth counties.

Police urged all drivers to stay off the roads, due to blowing snow and white-out conditions. Officers were responding to multiple crashes and vehicles in ditches, putting first-responders, police, fire, EMS, and tow-truck drivers in danger. “Your safety and the safety of others are at risk; please stay safe and stay put!”

By 2:30 p.m., the following roads in Huron County were closed:
 

• Lucknow Line, from Lucknow to Carlow and Carlow to Benmiller
• Huron County Road 4 (London Road), from Clinton to Blyth
• Highway 4 (London Road), from Exeter to Mount Carmel Road
• Highway 4 (London Road), from Exeter to Clinton
• Highway 21 (Bluewater Veterans Highway), from Bayfield to Grand Bend

As of 10 p.m., Highway 9, from Kincardine to Walkerton; Highway 21, from Southampton to Grand Bend; and the Bruce and Huron county roads (ilsted above) remain closed.

For those who decide to travel, keep your headlights and tail-lights on and clear of snow and do not drive on a closed road.

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 Ontario highways – visit 511on.ca.”