Most people have taken the weekend to dig out. The roads are now cleared, with temperatures hovering around the freezing point. A lot of people have been helping one another.
One just has to take one's time, and pace oneself carefully. Trust me, I know!
Schools were closed for three days. Businesses in Bracebridge shut for the day on Friday. Both power outages, and people unable to get into town to work, were the issue!
There were stories of snowplows in the ditch. The roads were impassable. More snow (15 cm; 6") snow squalls and high winds are on their way, too!
Muskoka Online says that Minden (flagged on the map, right) had 140 cm of snowfall. Highway 11 was closed in places south of Gravenhurst, with Bracebridge being hard hit, too. There were 3000 people without hydro Saturday afternoon. No fun at all. Currently, 1200 do not have power in Bracebridge, 262 in Minden, and 192 homes in Baysville & Dorsett are without power. "
The road block was just west of Minden near Bracebridge...5 hours sitting on the highway waiting for traffic be routed around." said one Facebook friend.
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| Port Carling! |
CBC Ottawa reports today:
- Highway 416 is now closed in both directions in Ottawa's south end, due to pileups involving more than 60 vehicles during the foggy and icy morning rush, as well as a mid-morning collision involving a loaded tractor-trailer.
OPP say to ensure you have your car winter ready: all fluids topped up. Carrying a safety kit is a good idea, with water, snacks, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, hats & mitts, and a candle to keep you warm.
One man died in Bracebridge. Such a shame. Greg Shepherd (60 years old). He leaves behind 6 children and his wife, who was on vacation at the time.
Friday morning as he was attempting to clear away heavy snow from his vehicle. His body was found on Saturday afternoon buried under a 1.5-metre high snowdrift, which was at the foot of his driveway.
On a lighter note, I had to climb up and knock the snow off of the satellite dish. It was Football Sunday yesterday, you see, and while we lost power a couple of times, it came back in time for the games. Sady really depends upon afternoon football.
In other local news:
Skateboard reality show filmed in Muskoka
West 49 Ambition Skatecamp. All of the area’s three major towns have public skateparks. I don't think there will be much skateboarding this month. The reality show was filmed in an 80,000-square-foot facility at Muskoka Woods summer camp on Lake Rosseau.You can't see the parks right now. Better watch them on TV!
