Springwater, Ont., officials urge residents to stay off roads due to significant weather event

A township north of Barrie, Ont., is facing a significant weather event Tuesday and officials are urging residents to stay off roads.

In a weather update, officials in Springwater said the weather event is causing hazardous road conditions throughout the municipality.

“The Township is strongly advising all residents and motorists to stay off the roads immediately and avoid all unnecessary travel,” officials said in the update.

“Travelling at this time places motorists, emergency responders, and Public Works crews at serious risk and significantly impacts snow removal and emergency response operations.”

Environment Canada’s website states Springwater Provincial Park is under an orange snow squall warning Tuesday, which is set to continue into Wednesday and Thursday.

A snow squall is a sudden, intense and short-lived burst of heavy snow and strong winds that causes near-total whiteout conditions and rapidly freezing road surfaces.

In its warning, Environment Canada said there is near zero visibility due to widespread blowing snow resulting from northwesterly winds gusting 50 to 70 km/h. An additional 10 to 30 centimetres of snow is also expected.

Springwater officials are asking residents to remove all garbage and recycling bins from sidewalks and roadways to support ongoing snow clearing efforts.

Officials also said Tuesday the Elmvale Community Centre is open as a warming centre for stranded motorists. The Elmvale Arena is closed and all scheduled programming is cancelled.

“The Township of Springwater thanks residents for their cooperation and patience,” the update said.

Officials said in the update temporary road closures will also remain in effect due to weather conditions:

• Flos Road 6 W. from County Road 27 to 55 metres northeast of Atkinson Road.

• Flos Road 7 W. from 73 metres southwest of County Road 27 to 62 metres northeast of Vigo Road.

• Flos Road 8 W. from County Road 27 to 177 metres northeast of the end of the road.

• Flos Road 11 W. at County Road 27 to Eastdale Drive and Twin Pines Drive.

• Ushers Road from 32 metres northwest of Flos Road 7 W. to Tiny Flos Townline.

• Vigo Road from 38 metres southeast of River Road W. to Flos Road 4 W.

• Atkinson Road from 42 metres northwest of Flos Road 4 W. to Ryther Road.

• Crossland Road at Flos Road 5 W., to Flos Road 5 W., to 315 metres northeast of the end of the road.

• Flos Road 5 W. from County Road 27 to 141 metres northeast of the end of the road.

• Tiny Flos Townline from Ushers Road to 47 metres northeast of the end of the road.

• Flos Road 10 W. from Yonge Street N. to Vigo Road.

The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed County Road 92 Wasaga to Elmvale and County Road 26 from Horseshoe W. were also closed Tuesday.

In a post to social media Tuesday afternoon, OPP announced a partial road closure at Highway 11 southbound, north of Barrie near Line 1.

Police said there is one lane open due to a multi-vehicle collision. One person was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and emergency crews are on scene, OPP said.