The Central Region of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to stay home in the impacted area and avoid travel. Additional vehicles on the roads put occupants at risk and add additional challenges for snow removal.
GPS detours have redirected vehicles onto alternate routes to bypass the highway closure. Unfortunately, this has led to Cooper’s Falls Road and Houseys Rapids Road becoming impassable, as several vehicles are now stuck in the snow.
In this situation, your GPS may not provide accurate directions and could send you onto roads that have been closed or are treacherous.
Highway 11 is expected to remain closed during the evening in both directions between Highway 60 in Huntsville and West Street in Orillia. Other sections of Highway 11 are also closed at this time, and many other roads in the area are closed or not driveable.
Tractor trailers are asked to use Highway 35 and Highway 400 in the meantime.
Snow removal crews are working hard to keep up with the snowfall, providing a all-hands-on-deck response to the ongoing snow event. OPP officers, paramedics, and firefighters have been using snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles to check on stranded motorists.
If you are low on fuel, and still moving, seriously consider finding a safe place to park until you are able to safely get to a gas station or someone can safely bring fuel to you.
Anyone who finds themselves stranded is advised to stay with their vehicle and not venture out on foot. Pedestrians could become lost, or face hazards posed by snow removal equipment.
If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1. Please call the OPP non-emergency number, 1-888-310-1122 for all other matters. Our Communications Centres have been flooded with calls, so please be patient and ensure the 9-1-1 lines are used only for life-threatening matters.
Please refer to 511on.ca/ for road condition updates.
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