All roads will remain closed overnight December 24-25 as it is extremely dangerous to travel in Prince Edward County. “Do not go out tonight! If you do, there is a strong possibility you will get stranded and have to wait many hours for a rescue,” Mayor Steve Ferguson. The municipality’s priority is assisting the Ontario Provincial Police in rescuing the handful of stranded motorists on County roads. “Please do not add to the number of stranded motorists. Stay home and stay safe,” Mayor Ferguson adds. If you are stranded along the roadside, call the OPP’s non-emergency phone line at 1.888.310.1122. If you are waiting in your car with the engine running, clear your exhaust if it is covered by snow in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Municipal plow crews will work through the night clearing snow from main road arteries. Municipal plows will also plow to support emergency calls (fire and ambulance). Dial 911 in an emergency when you need immediate help from police, fire or ambulance services. An emergency situation can include medical emergencies such as someone experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing or a fire that is not contained or controlled. The H.O.P.E Centre in Picton (46 King Street) is open as an emergency warming centre if you are without power in Picton. The County is advising residents to only go to the Hope Centre on foot. DO NOT DRIVE. County Fire & Rescue wants you to protect yourself from carbon monoxide. Ensure all fuel-fired heating appliances have clear exhaust ports outside your house. Ice and snow can build up around the exhaust outlets causing the poisonous gas to buildup in your home. Never heat your home with a heating source that is not intended for indoor use or use a barbeque indoors. Please check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms today. Only working alarms save lives. Environment Canada is calling for blizzard conditions to continue overnight on December 24-25. Local amount 10 to 20 cm. Wind southwest 50 km/h gusting to 80 km/h, becoming west 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h before morning. Temperature steady near minus 4. Wind chill near minus 16. To get updates from the County, sign up to receive email notices and follow the County on Facebook and Twitter.
