Norfolk County residents are being advised to shelter in place and avoid all unnecessary travel.
The most affected areas of the county include Port Rowan, Long Point, Fairground, Walsingham, Langton, and surrounding areas.
Road crews are working to clear the major roads, but with the current conditions all roads continue to be dangerous to travel.
Port Rowan residents are being advised that all major routes in and out of town are currently closed.
All residents in the southwestern area of the county are facing power outages and obstructed roads.
If you are able to leave your residence on foot to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours please do so, wearing proper winter clothing and with a cell phone.
Please keep the 911 lines open for emergencies, calls about experiencing power outages or reporting downed trees are not to be made to 911.
Fallen trees, debris, hydro poles or wires, and accumulations of snow that require immediate attention should be reported to Hydro One emergency line 1-800-434-1235, or to Norfolk County at 1-877-298-5888. These numbers should be used only for emergency concerns at this time.
The following tips have been provided by the Norfolk County Emergency Control Group while sheltering in place:
- With no power, ensure you are minimizing the number of times you open your refrigerator or freezer, to maintain food safe temperatures.
- Refuel generators in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. When refueling the generator, keep it away from cigarettes, open flames, smoke and/or sparks.
- Keep candles away from combustible materials, ensuring they are safely away from children and pets that may knock them over. Lanterns are great items to have around the house to safely enclose candles.
- Don’t start fires in your house, you should only do so in a properly installed wood stove or fireplace.
- Don’t run generators in your house as these emit deadly carbon monoxide. Generators need to be operated in a well-ventilated area.
- Make sure your smoke alarms have working batteries to ensure you are alerted even if your power is out.
- Do not leave your vehicle running inside your garage, always leave it running outside of your garage in open air.
- Dress in layers for warmth, and use additional blankets, jackets and clothing to retain heat around you. Heat loss is faster through your head and extremities, so hats, mittens/gloves and warm socks are a must.
- Keep all medications in a central area and continue to take them as prescribed.
- If you are on home oxygen and your supply is limited and approaching empty, please call your supplier for guidance first, and if no response or ability to assist from them, call 911 (ambulance) for direction.
- Any outdoor activity in cold weather places additional strain on your muscles, specifically your heart, so we are recommending anyone with chronic medical conditions avoid leaving their home and minimize any exertion.