Area police are reporting the weather is causing unsafe driving conditions across the region and are urging motorists to avoid driving if possible.
OPP Const. Stephanie Moniz said Highway 401 eastbound between County Road 31 and County Road 42 is closed due to bad weather conditions. Highway 401 westbound between County Road 42 and Highway 77 is also closed, she said. Traffic in both directions is being re-routed to County Road 42, she said.
Moniz said OPP have been dealing with dozens of accidents in the county and many motorists have drifted into ditches. She said there have been no serious injuries reported.
Moniz said the numerous weather-related accidents across the county have kept OPP very busy.
“Officers have been non-stop responding to weather related incidents in the past 24 hours,” said Moniz. “Once again, we are asking the motoring public to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
Chatham-Kent police said Highway 40 between Chatham and Wallaceburg is now open after being closed for about three hours Saturday afternoon.
OPP said Highway 401 was closed briefly at Communication Road in Chatham after a police cruiser was struck causing extensive damage. No injuries were reported and the section of road is now re-open, said OPP.
Flights to Pelee Island have been cancelled due to poor runway conditions caused by blowing and drifting snow.
Point Pelee National Park is closed Saturday due to poor weather conditions.
Two University of Windsor Lancer basketball games have been cancelled today due to poor driving conditions for visiting teams. The men’s team will play Sunday at 2 p.m. and the women’s team will play Sunday at 4 p.m.
The University of Windsor Lancer women’s hockey game against Western today is also cancelled.
The St. Clair College volleyball game against Conestoga College is also cancelled due to unsafe travelling conditions.
Saturday evening’s Windsor Express basketball game against Brampton has also been cancelled.
The Youth Basketball Day that was scheduled to take place at the University of Windsor today has been postponed to Sunday.
The Chatham-Kent public works department issued a release Saturday morning reporting snow plows are not available to operate safely due to poor visibility. Many rural roads throughout Chatham-Kent, especially north-south roads, have large drifts of snow and many are being blocked by stranded vehicles, according to the release.
Environment Canada forecast wind speeds of 40 to 60 km/h are likely across the region Saturday, with gusts to 80 km/h possible. The high winds combined with snowfall may result in blowing snow lowering visibilities to 500 metres or less at times.
Weather forecasts indicate snow flurries and strong winds with gusts up to 60 km/h will continue well into Monday across Essex, Kent and Lambton counties.
Motorists are being asked to avoid driving until weather conditions improve.
(More to come)
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