Major snowstorm blasts Kincardine area Tuesday

It seems as if Old Man Winter is making up for his absence in November and December.

The Kincardine area was hit with a major snowstorm Tuesday, beginning with heavy snow in the morning, followed by high wind in the afternoon, causing blowing and drifting snow which resulted in the first road closures of the winter season.

The poor weather and driving conditions also caused problems for students getting home from school as the buses were not allowed out on their routes. In most cases, particularly at Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School, students were picked up by their parents/guardians or their assigned billeting families.

Meanwhile, the first section of road to close, of course, was Highway 21 between Kincardine and Port Elgin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, due to high wind, blowing snow and pockets of zero visibility. Minutes later, the South Bruce OPP closed Highway 21 from Port Elgin to Amberley.

By 7:45 p.m., police had also closed Highway 9 between Kincardine and Walkerton due to blowing and drifting snow. Bruce County Road 86 from Amberley to Lucknow is also closed.

Police urge motorists to stay off the roads in southern Bruce County overnight due to poor driving conditions. 



Highway 21 is closed from Kincardine north to Port Elgin, Tuesday afternoon

In Huron County, the situation was worse, with the OPP declaring all roads in the county closed by Tuesday evening.

Police said heavy wind and blowing snow produced widespread white-out conditions, and motorists were encouraged to postpone non-essential travel until the weather and road conditions improved.

At one point, Highway 21 was closed from Grand Bend all the way to Port Elgin.

Police urge motorists to remain safe and avoid travel until the conditions improve and roadways re-open. Driving on a closed roadway can result in a $110 fine and three demerit points, if convicted.       

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, you are tying up phone lines and personnel used for emergency calls.

The storm is expected to continue through the night and ease off Wednesday.



Highway 21 is closed south from Kincardine all the way to Grand Bend, and north to Port Elgin, Tuesday afternoon