Amid squall and extreme cold warnings, OPP advise to limit travel due to white outs

UPDATE 3p.m. – Due to high winds and white out conditions in the southern part of Prince Edward County, OPP are advising motorists to stay off the roads unless necessary.

As of 8 a.m. this morning all roads in Prince Edward County are open. Overnight crews plowed and sanded primary roads and plows for secondary roads were called out at 4 a.m.

With snow squall warnings, extreme cold has set in and the County has opened warming centres for any residents needing to escape the cold. The most impacted area is expected to be south of Wellington and Picton.  Environment Canada Thursday, states visibilities near zero in blowing snow are likely due to strong westerly winds gusting to 70 km/h. Additional snowfall amounts near 10 cm are possible today. The most impacted area is expected to be south of Wellington and Picton.

Wednesday, Prince Edward County OPP responded to more than 50 calls for service within the 24-hour time frame of the snow and squalls, of which 22 of the calls were motor vehicle collisions.

Cst. Patrick Menard notes white-out conditions later in the day prompted OPP to close all roads in the southern end of the county due to the poor visibility and road conditions.

“The OPP’s emergency response team was also on hand to conduct snowmobile patrol on secondary roads to search for stranded motorists who may have been stuck in the massive drifts caused by the wind,” he said. “OPP want to thank the citizens of Prince Edward County for staying off the roads. No serious collisions were reported. As of 8 am, all Prince Edward County roads are open. Drivers are still asked to drive according to the road conditions.”

With school buses cancelled today, the final two exams for secondary students at PECI will not be rescheduled. Final report card grades will be determined based on evidence of student learning gathered through the term. February 1 is a PA Day. Semester 2 begins February 4

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning and the municipality will open two warming centres.

The Rotary Club of Picton Hall inside the Prince Edward Community Centre (375 Picton Main Street) and the Rotary Room inside the Wellington and District Community Centre (111 Belleville Street) will be open between the hours of 9 am and 11 pm on Thursday, January 31.

If you require shelter after 11 pm, municipal staff will provide assistance with arranging accommodations.

With extreme cold comes an elevated risk to health such as frostbite and hypothermia.