Update 10:13 a.m. Monday (Boxing Day): The township says snowplowing operations have resumed but people should exercise caution when getting around South Stormont, whether it’s driving or walking.
LONG SAULT – Snowplows in South Stormont have been temporarily parked.
It’s not due to the blowing and drifting but due to the fact that drivers have maxed out their hours.
Around noon, the township said the pause would happen “within the next couple (of) hours” and that plowing would continue “overnight December 24th.”
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, a driver cannot drive more than 13 hours in a day and must have 10 hours off-duty each day.
The township also asked residents to follow the parking restrictions and to ensure all vehicles are off the roads “as not to interfere with winter maintenance.”
The United Counties of SD&G is under a blizzard warning with winds gusts of 80 to 100 kilometers expected and total snowfall amounts of 20-30 centimeters (8-12 inches) from this storm by Christmas Day.
The wind is causing whiteout conditions on country roads and has also caused power outages to hundreds of Hydro One customers across SD&G.
Police are advising against travel anywhere.
OPP have closed Highway 401 from the Cobourg area to the Quebec border.
#HWY401 remains closed from Northumberland to the Quebec border. If you come across an on-ramp that is not blocked off, DO NOT enter the highway. If you are driving on other roads and get stuck/in a collision there may be a significant delay for emergency services to respond. pic.twitter.com/NjHpWUct1y
— OPP East Region (@OPP_ER) December 24, 2022