Communities deal with aftermath of heavy snow and extreme cold

The bitter, bone-chilling temperatures are sticking around and have made life difficult for many people outdoors.

Drivers have needed boosts with tow trucks companies’ phones ringing off the hook for days.

Several communities were forced to declare significant weather events over the weekend. Oro Medonte, Springwater and Tiny Township have since lifted those. Barrie, like many cities, is doing what it can to stay ahead of all the snow.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said, “Man, the amount of time that they are out on the roads at the moment - we have about 44 people who drive plows and graders in the city and every single one of them has massive overtime in.”

The once soft, fluffy snow is hardening up by the day making shoveling a challenge.

Warming centers have been open across the region for several days now. In Barrie, the Busby Centre says it is open 24/7 for people who have no alternative. It’s providing meals, clothing and housing support.

“Our Barrie and Collingwood shelter continue to be full, however, we are helping people navigate to warming centres if we do not have space,” says Sara Peddle, executive director of the Busby Centre.

There is no break coming from these frigid temperatures for the next several days. In fact, Environment Canada suggests it will likely stay this way into next month. Pet owners are also being reminded to make sure their animals are not stuck outdoors in these kinds of conditions.