
By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula along with Bruce County and other Municipalities within the county declared a significant weather event on January 27, 2025, due to forecasted or observed weather conditions.
The Peninsula experienced high winds of gusts up to 90 km at times, whipping up weeks of snow. The blowing snow created significant drifts, whiteouts or low visibility, and impassable or slippery roads. These conditions caused service disruptions, forced businesses to close, caused numerous road closures with stranded motorists and abandoned vehicles in multiple locations on local roads.
The warning ended three days later on 30 January at 12.08 p.m.
Closed roads throughout County and Northern Bruce Peninsula
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Bruce County Transportation & Environmental Services advised motorists to reconsider travel plans and to stay off the roadways if there was no need to travel. Throughout Monday, conditions continued to worsen. By mid afternoon, snowplows along the Bruce Peninsula were being pulled off the roads because they simply could not keep up with the drifting, and tow trucks were kept busy responding to crashes and ditched cars across the region. At 5 p.m. Environment Canada had issued snow squall and wind warnings for Grey and Bruce counties. By 8:30 p.m. all county and provincial roads north of Wiarton and Red Bay were closed.
Over the three days approximately 25 roads were closed in the county. For Northern Bruce, all access roads in and out of the area were closed. Road closures signs were posted for: Highway 6 between Bruce Rd 9 to Tobermory; Bruce Rd 9 between Scenic caves Rd and Ferndale Rd; Bruce Rd 7 between West Rd and Lion’s Head; and West Rd between Summer Ave and Bruce Rd 9.
4 vehicle accidents in Northern Bruce
From Sunday to Wednesday evening, the Grey Bruce OPP had over 100 reports of collisions or vehicles stuck in drifts/ditches. Grey-Bruce OPP charged three motorists with driving on a closed highway during the storm.
Here on the Northern Bruce Peninsula, the local fire services reported that there were four significant vehicle accidents all resulting in injuries; two occurring on Monday and another two on Wednesday. Injured persons were transferred to Lion’s Head Hospital. Over 50 vehicles were stranded or abandoned in multiple locations, mainly on sideroads.
On Monday, residents reported an OPP cruiser, garbage truck, parcel delivery truck and numerous vehicles stuck in snow banks or snow drifts near Barrow Bay on Bruce County Rd 9, while others say they saw about five vehicles stuck/abandoned near the landfill on the East Road.
Photo: Snow removal taking place on West Road after the storm. The road was impassable due to drifting and snow accumulation.
The fire service were out on all days, in multiple locations throughout the Peninsula, doing wellness checks on motorists – verifying that motorists were not trapped in their vehicles.
On Tuesday, the Fire Chief said a primary objective was to ensure routes were cleared so that Hydro crews could get through to respond to outages. This involved coordinating with Hydro’s Emergency Operation Centre, snow plough operators, snow removal operators and tow truck operators.
Overall it was a busy three days, with first responders working in wind blown conditions to ensure that roads were unblocked from snow and vehicles to allow them access to respond to incidents and ensure public safety.
Kudos to the First Responders/Snow removal crews
Fire Chief Burt praised first responders, EMS, snow removal crews and tow truck operators for working tirelessly over the week, in hazardous weather, over long hours to ensure public safety. The actions of the individuals involved “is a clear testament to their dedication to public safety on Northern Bruce”, stated the Fire Chief.
Mayor Milt McIver stated “In the face of this week’s storm, I want to say thank you to everyone who went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our roads were cleared and public safety maintained. Your hard work made a significant difference in our ability to manage this event.”
Local Businesses Closed and Service Disruptions
Many of the Ferndale businesses closed or only opened when it was deemed safe for their staff to come in.
Bear Tracks Inn and Restaurant said five rooms were rented out for the first two nights to stranded travelers. The restaurant remained open for the most part, posting on their social media that “If you’re stranded on Hwy 6 we are available to provide shelter and food.”
Hellyer’s Foodland stayed open all week. The grocery store saw an increase in local buyer traffic. One seasonal resident commented that “we are lucky the grocery was open this year” (last winter the grocery store was closed due to fire damage). Another resident said it highlights the need to shop local and support those businesses that provide essential groceries and supplies.
Peacock’s Foodland said they ran low on milk and fresh produce, but their service was not really impacted by the storm.
Both groceries said with the highway open again, they received their deliveries and shelves were restocked.
Doctors storm-stayed at Hospital
Three doctors were storm-stayed in Lion’s Head and they ensured that the Emergency Department stayed open, so there was no loss of coverage during the period. The hospital also admitted persons due to injuries from four separate motor vehicle accidents.
The Lion’s Head clinic was closed from noon Monday, reopening on Thursday, however staff was able to monitor all incoming messages, reschedule appointments, arrange for doctors’ phone support for medical issues and work with the pharmacy as required to fill prescriptions.
The health services say it was good that residents called in advance to check if they needed to come in, and going forward it would be good practice on bad weather days to call before venturing out.
Local school closures derail exam schedule
Bruce Peninsula District School in Lion’s Head was open Monday and Thursday, but no buses were running; while the school was closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The school reports that there were no issues with students returning home on Monday, while parents might have made private arrangements for their kids, the school was not required to make special arrangements to accommodate any stranded students.
However the exams schedule for secondary school students was affected, as there was no available time to hold in-school exams. The students’ final mark will be determined by term marks and coursework grades.
Students doing Grade 9 EQAO standardized testing in math will have the opportunity to complete this before February 5, 2025.
Be Prepared for Winter Travel, have a 72 hour emergency kit for home and vehicle
“This is also a timely reminder for all residents to be prepared for unexpected situations. I encourage everyone to have a 72-hour emergency kit on hand, containing essential supplies like food, water, medications, and other necessities. Being proactive in this way helps ensure the safety and well-being of you and your family, no matter what comes our way.” stated Mayor McIver.
This message was reiterated by both Fire Chief Burt and the OPP. The Fire Chief says he cannot stress enough the need for residents to have both home and vehicle emergency kits.
Check out the Municipality’s website on being prepared for an emergency https://www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/government/fire-emergency-services/emergency-management/
The Government of Canada Get Prepared website itemizes supplies for your emergency home and vehicle kits https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx#s3
Prepare for winter travel
Ontario Storm Watch stated “Thanks to the past several El Niño winters, we got accustomed to the overall milder temperatures and lack of ample snowfall. But this La Niña season has sure made up for it! “
Be it a good old-fashioned Northern Bruce winter, or once in every ten year storm, with continuing warmer lake temperatures, it might be prudent to expect more lake effect snow/squalls this winter. Check weather and road conditions before venturing out. For winter road conditions and road closure information, please visit www.brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions or https://511on.ca/
The OPP advises if you plan to travel in winter it is good practice to: “Ensure you are dressed for the weather, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, a charged cell phone, a full tank of fuel, water & food, and that your tailpipe is clear from obstructions. Let a friend or family member know your path of travel and your estimated arrival time to your destination.
Ensure winter tires have a good level of tread, check your battery as cold weather can affect it, inspect wipers, lights & fluids. Pack an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, blanket, first aid, food/water, snow brush, booster cables and a small shovel if possible. Adjust your speed to the road conditions, increase your following distance between vehicles to be able to stop in time, clear snow and ice from your vehicle.”
“If you need to abandon your vehicle contact the police and inform us of your location and if your vehicle is obstructing any lanes of traffic, or if there is any damage requiring a report. Please also contact us back when your vehicle is removed so we can remove the call from our list.” advised the OPP.
The Fire Chief recommends that motorists try to get off the road, into a laneway if possible. This will ensure your safety and allow first responders and snow plough operators safer access to the roads.
Stay off Closed Roads
Motorists should stay off roads posted as closed. Being out on these roads puts first responders’ lives, your life and those of your passengers at risk. The Fire Chief reported that there were near misses regarding the safety of the first responders venturing out in hazardous conditions. The Fire Chief stresses “if a road is closed your travel is not essential, your safety is! Also it increases the safety of first responders and snow plough operators, if you are not on the roads.” There is also a possibility you may be issued a traffic fine from the police.
The OPP recommends “Drivers should use hazard lights when their vehicle is disabled; certain vehicles do not illuminate brake lights when four ways are activated so driving with them on is a bigger risk than the intended visibility.”