A winter storm forced the closure of schools and many services throughout Peterborough on Monday morning.
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for the Peterborough region with snowfall amounts expected to be between 30 to 50 centimetres, with snowfall rates up to two to five centimetres per hour possible in the morning.
There is also blowing snow at times due to winds gusting up to 60 km/h.
All three area school boards — Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board, and the Trillium Lakelands District School Board — closed their schools and buses were cancelled.
Trent University also closed its campuses in Peterborough and Durham, yet remote classes are continuing. Food and essential services continue. Those who need to be on campus are encouraged to exercise caution on pathways, parking lots and stairways on campus.
Transit buses in Peterborough were removed from roads and service suspended just after 7 a.m.
The City of Peterborough declared a “Significant Weather Event,” to advise of conditions on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes and expect service delays.
John Czerniawski, Public Works Operations Supervisor, said crews have been out clearing streets and sidewalks since 1:30 a.m.
“Working on the roads and all snow clearing resources will continue to be deployed 24 hours a day for this response,” he said. “This is not an emergency situation, but the snow clearing work will take some time to complete with the amount of snow that has fallen and continues to come down this morning.”
The city is deploying resources to address road conditions as a result of the storm. Motorists are advised to stay home and only use the roads for necessary travel.
Among city services closed:
- Social services offices (178 Charlotte St. Phone services at 705-748-8830. The office will re-open for in-person services at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
- All city-operated child care centres at Pearson Day Care and Peterborough Day Care
- City-operated before- and after-school child care programs at Edmison Heights Public School and Westmount Public School.
- Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St. The library will re-open for in person service on Tuesday,. Online services are available at http://www.ptbolibrary.ca.
Garbage and recycling services in Peterborough County are cancelled. Environment Canada warns between 30 and 50 cm could fall in the region throughout the day.
Power outages how been reported in downtown and East City in Peterborough, impacting about 107 customers according to an update around 8:50 a.m.
In Peterborough, the One Roof Community Centre opened for extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with a to-go meal provided between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday due to temperatures below -15 C.
Lansdowne Place mall in Peterborough announced around 9:45 a.m. it was closing for the remainder of Monday.
COVID-19 Vaccination clinic
Although daytime clinics remain open, Peterborough Public Health is encouraging anyone with a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination appointment at the Healthy Planet arena to reschedule later in the week. Monday evenings clinics from 5 to 9 p.m. A daylong clinic at the Norwood Community Centre is cancelled.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit called all of its vaccination clinics scheduled Monday in Lindsay, Cobourg and Colborne.
All appointments can be rebooked on the Ontario book another date: https://bit.ly/3A6pZg4
Northumberland County
Along Lake Ontario, a blizzard warning is in effect for Northumberland County with 25 to 40 cm of snow with wind gusting up 60 km/h, according to Environment Canada.
A section of Highway 401 from Cobourg (at Burnham Street ramp) to Grafton as closed Monday morning due to blizzard-like conditions. A transport truck reportedly crashed on the highway near Brighton. No word yet on injuries.
Northumberland OPP Const. Robert Simpson said there are “multiple closures” along Hwy. 401.
“If you can avoid taking the 401, please do so; if you can avoid driving today, please do so,” he said in a tweet issued at 10:30 a.m.
He recommended any drivers stuck or struggling in snow to disable traction control on their vehicle which may help free the vehicle.
OPP also deployed several officers on snowmobiles to assist drivers struck or stranded on rural roads.
City of Kawartha Lakes
Lindsay Transit and the municipality’s waste and recycling curbside collection were all suspended on Monday. For those with a Monday waste collection day, place your items curbside on Friday, Jan. 21.
— more to come.
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