Thousands digging out after OPP open some snowy roads across southwestern Ontario

A storm that forced the closures of dozens of roads across several counties in southwestern Ontario has mainly passed and thousands of residents hampered by heavy snow and blowing wind were starting to dig out on Wednesday.  

Ontario Provincial Police closed major provincial highways across Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce counties on Tuesday in response to heavy snowfall that began over the weekend. In some municipalities, including Kincardine, Brockton and Saugeen Shores, all rural municipal roads and some roads within the towns themselves were closed.

By Wednesday morning, some of those had re-opened but others remained closed. Drivers are urged to check local weather information for the most updated information.  

"Yesterday alone, we had 38 collisions. Four of those involved seven or more vehicles, with injuries ranging from no injuries to minor injuries," said Grey Bruce OPP Const. Krista Linthorne on Tuesday.

Snowfall began on Saturday and continued over the long weekend, dumping a thick blanket of snow on much of the province. As the snowfall eased in Middlesex, Huron and Perth counties by Family Day Monday, Grey and Bruce counties saw no relief.

Environment Canada forecasted continued snowfall in Grey and Bruce, with a snow squall warning projecting up to 70 centimetres of additional snow will have fallen on some parts of the region by Tuesday night.

That snowfall and wind make for a combination of low visibility and slick roadways, according to Linthorne, who said many locals are still travelling on closed roads.

"We're urging drivers to limit travel to essential trips only. Essential meaning you have to go. Otherwise, I'd rather people just stay home and ride out this storm and hopefully tomorrow is a better day," she said.

In Kincardine, Brockton and Saugeen Shores, that means staying put until conditions clear, even for politicians. Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau told CBC News he's stuck at home like most in his community.

"We're pretty well hunkered down and just trying to shovel out our driveways and keep warm," Charbonneau said. "If you don't absolutely have to get somewhere, don't go. Frankly, you can't go anyways because the roads are closed."

Charbonneau echoed descriptions of the snowfall shared by many across the region, often on social media groups dedicated to keeping locals up to date on the latest storm-related information.

Those descriptions included massive snowbanks towering over roadsides and front yards blanketed with waist-deep snow.

"It's more snow than I've seen in a lot of years, that's for sure, but people are out having fun with it and making the best of it," the mayor said.

While the widespread closures have stranded many inside their homes, they've also had the effect of bringing people together to share information.

Justin Morrison has been at the centre of that effort. On top of being the Huron East councillor for Brussels, he runs a Facebook page called Huron-Perth Weather Watch.

The group, which has over 15,000 members, has been instrumental for some locals.

"What I'm doing with this event specifically is I'm updating a map. Every time there's a road closure in a municipality or county or provincial highway, I compile all the information into one single location, and I publish it out there," Morrison said.

That information, uploaded to an interactive map, lets locals see exactly where closures are in near real-time. On top of that, Morrison added, many in the group are helping one another in other ways.

"Everybody's asking, 'What's this road like? How much snow is falling in places?' and I mean, the whole community just seems to come together to answer questions and help people navigate the difficulties of being locked down with road closures for sure," Morrison said.

As snow continues to fall in Grey and Bruce, and heavy winds cause blowing snow in much of Perth and Huron, police and government officials are asking residents to be patient.

Even in areas where snowfall has stopped, it can take much longer than one might expect to clear so many roads with plow crews spread as thin as they are, according to Charbonneau.

Police are also asking residents to do what they can to stay informed. Not all closed roads have barriers blocking them, and although some roads are open, police recommend avoiding driving entirely.