Town of Arnprior Declares Significant Weather Event

This declaration has now been terminated. 

In response to a winter storm warning in effect in our area, the Town of Arnprior has declared a Significant Weather Event that will impact travel and services throughout the municipality. This declaration is made pursuant to Ontario Regulation 239/02 and 366/18, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways.

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives until the municipality declares the Significant Weather Event has ended. In each case, during the course of a declared Significant Weather Event, the standard for addressing winter maintenance is to monitor the weather and to deploy resources to address the issue starting from the time that the municipality deems it appropriate to do so. When the municipality has declared the event has ended, the standard timelines for winter maintenance activities will resume.

The Town of Arnprior wishes to note that the declaration of a Significant Weather Event is not notice of a reduced level of service or a road closure. The declaration is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on Town of Arnprior roads and sidewalks and that it may take longer than usual to bring the condition of them back to a state of repair due to the heavy snowfall or ice conditions.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather conditions and follow updates provided by the Town of Arnprior posted on the Town’s website (www.arnprior.ca/winterstorm) and social media. The Town will issue a statement when the Significant Weather Event has ended.

Residents are asked to refrain from non-essential travel, ensure vehicles are not parked on the streets and continue to be patient as we work through this winter storm.

For more information, please contact Arnprior Town Hall at (613) 623-4231.

Environment Canada Warning in Effect:

Major winter storm tonight through Saturday.

Hazards:

Snow, heavy at times, with total amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres by Friday afternoon.
Reduced visibility in heavy snow and local blowing snow.

Timing:

This evening through Saturday.

Discussion:

Snow, heavy at times, is expected to begin this evening. As a cold front pushes through the area on Friday afternoon, rapidly falling temperatures and wind gusts to 70 km/h will result in local blowing snow. Snow and local blowing snow will persist into Saturday.

Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca. 

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.