Blizzard in Timmins forces many closures

Northern Ontario is enduring a blizzard, with up to 60 cm of snow and 80 km/h winds. The City of Timmins declared a 'significant weather event' early Monday.

A heavy snowfall that began Sunday night and is expected to end Monday night brought 40-60 cm of snow to the Timmins area. The blizzard conditions, including wind gusts up to 80 km/h brought a variety of operations and services to a standstill.

The City of Timmins’ public works department declared a ‘significant weather event’ at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“All municipal facilities, including City Hall, all arenas and the Archie Dillon Sportsplex Pool, are closed. Timmins Transit service is suspended for the remainder of the day. Garbage collection for Monday has also been cancelled,” wrote Amanda Susan Dyer, corporate communications coordinator for the city, in an email to CTV News before 9 a.m. on Monday.

Dyer said public works crews are currently digging the city out, but added that delays are expected on some streets and roads. As such, the city asked residents to avoid parking on any roads and to postpone all non-essential travel.

Many northern highways were closed – deemed unsafe for travel – but that didn’t stop some motorists.

“We are seeing motorists that have chosen to drive on highways and so there are vehicles in the ditch at this time and if you are choosing to travel on a closed highway, you’re putting yourself at risk, you’re putting first responders at risk; and your vehicle will not be removed until it’s safe to do so,” said OPP Const. Stephanie Belec.

In an email to CTV News, Cochrane District Services Board officials said anyone experiencing health-related issues needs to know:

‘Paramedics are doing their best to respond to emergency calls, but response times may be delayed, and some addresses may be inaccessible due to highway closures and heavy snow.’

“If a person’s situation is not life-threatening, please consider using virtual care options,” said Kaileigh Russell, the service board’s communications manager.

CDSB advise of two virtual care options:

• North East Virtual Care Clinic: a Nurse Practitioner-led virtual care clinic that works with local health care providers to ensure patients can access more timely care available at nevirtualcare.ca.
• Health811: The live chat tool allows you to send Ontario health care navigators or registered nurses instant messages and receive back health information and advice on a broad range of topics, the tool can be accessed here.

Representatives with some winter sports facilities love the abundance of snow, but the storm forced the closure of Mount Jamieson Resort and the rental room and chalet at Porcupine Ski Runners on Monday.