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A blast of winter shut down the majority of highways in northeastern Ontario as much of the region remains under weather warnings.
Environment Canada has issued winter storm and rain warnings and is advising people to stay home.
“Travel will likely be extremely hazardous and some routes will likely be impassable,” the agency said.
According to 511, most major highways in the region are closed due to the weather.
As of 5:30 a.m., those closures include:
- Highway 6: Little Current to Espanola
- Highway 11: North Bay to Longlac
- Highway 17: Wawa to Sturgeon Falls
- Highway 65: Highway 66 to Quebec border
- Highway 69: Parry Sound to Sudbury
- Highway 101: Wawa to Folyet
- Highway 129: Wharncliffe to Chapleau
- HIghway 144: Chelmsford to Timmins
- Highway 655: Highway 11 to Kidd Creek Mine
Hydro One is reporting small outages on Manitoulin Island and in the French River areas, but the utility said those are expected to be restored later on Monday.
Snow drifts in Sudbury blanket this entrance after close to 30 cm fall. (Martha Dillman/CBC)
In Sudbury, the city declared a significant weather event and has sent out all available crews to respond, but said “it may take longer than usual to maintain local roadways.”
“Due to extreme conditions, major roadways including Municipal Road 80, Municipal Road 35, Municipal Road 55 as well as all side streets may not be maintained at this time except for emergency service needs,” Sudbury police stated in a release.
“We are asking all residents to remain at home and stay off the roadways until further notice. Municipal crews continue to work diligently to reduce the impact of this weather event on our community.”
In Sault Ste. Marie, the city is also asking people to avoid travel. Transit and Parabus service is cancelled until further notice. Garbage and recycling pickup is postponed until next Monday. All city facilities and programming are cancelled, including community centres, arenas, pools and the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre.
Several post secondary schools in the region are closed today, including Cambrian College, Collège Boréal, Northern College (excluding the Moosonee campus), Algoma University and Sault College. All campus activities at Laurentian University are cancelled and offices are closed.
