The clean-up from one of the worst winter storms to hit southern Ontario in decades is expected to take a couple of days.
Thousands of drivers along Toronto-area highways got stuck in the snow yesterday morning for several hours, as the historic storm blasted areas from Niagara to Kingston and Ottawa, as well as up here in Simcoe-Muskoka with up to 40cms in some areas.
The storm wreaked havoc on the roads, since the snow was falling faster than the plows could remove it and some even got stuck themselves.
In an effort to clean up the clusters of stranded vehicles, Toronto police decided to temporarily shut down the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway for a few hours.
The OPP pleaded with residents to stay home if they could, while the treacherous conditions led to bus cancellations and school closures across the region, delaying the start of in-person learning until today.
According to The Weather Network, the Niagara and Hamilton regions, as well as eastern Ontario, took the brunt of the heaviest accumulations. Oshawa picked up 55 cm, with 52 cm for Whitby and Niagara Escarpment, 50 cm in St. Catharines, 48 cm in Ottawa, 43 cm in Oakville, 41 cm in Hamilton, 40 cm in Brockville, 33 cm in Toronto, and 36 cm in Peterborough, were among some of the highest totals.
All school buses in Simcoe-Muskoka are running today, but there are a few delays reported due to the road conditions. For the latest, please click here.
To check on road conditions in your area, please click here.
Another clipper system is expected to affect our region tonight, with 5-10cms of snow possible.
For the latest forecast from Environment Canada, please click here.
#OnStorm hangover. We have multiple incidents across the #GTA with vehicles stuck and jackknifed transport truck. https://t.co/lhql3E24mW
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 18, 2022
Today was a challenging day for customers and our staff due to the storm. To ensure we provide a safe and reliable service on Tuesday, we will be reducing our GO Train service. Delays and cancellations are expected. Check https://t.co/BedlxVZpCZ before travelling. #GOsafety
— Barrie Train (@GOtransitBR) January 18, 2022