December 5, 2024

GRAVENHURST EMERGENCY STATE REMAINS AS ROAD, SIDEWALK CLEANUP CONTINUES

GRAVENHURST — A state of emergency here will continue until the town has the appropriate resources to deal with the cleanup, it says.

However the focus is now shifting toward recovery and a return to overall normal operations with about 90 per cent of roads now open to two-lane traffic.

As of 5 p.m. today there was a snow squall warning in effect for Gravenhurst issued by Environment Canada.

Share and share alike. GAP’s Peter Stolpmann, a Paul Harris Rotary recipient, works a food chain this afternoon at their TUC office hoisting a hefty three 20-pound boxes of emergency food provisions donated by the Salvation Army, which was giving them away at the Community Centre during the storm. Photos Mark Clairmont

The town continue to ask people from outside the area not to make their way to Gravenhurst. This includes individuals wanting to check cottage properties. Additional vehicle traffic in the community is a hindrance to cleanup.

On roads with two-lane traffic, crews are maintaining them to regular winter standards.

For sidewalks the focus is on clearing those in seniors’ neighbourhoods and school zones.

All rural roads are open to one-lane traffic. Staff anticipates these roads will be open to two-lane traffic on Friday.

York Region and Vaughan continue to help with their blowers.

Pending no further significant events, town crews will begin clearing snow from boulevards next week with an initial focus on the downtown, seniors’ area and where schools are located.

**Adam Underwood, 5, helps his dad Matt who was snow blowing their walkway today.**

Municipal road information.

Provincial highway information.

The reception centre at the Centennial Centre will close at 10:30 p.m. Thursday night and transition to a warming centre, which will be maintained by town staff during regular community centre hours starting Friday morning at 6 a.m.

Georgian Bay Volunteer Search and Rescue has stood down. The town says it thanks them for their assistance with wellness checks, transporting people to the Centennial Centre, and relaying goods to people in need.

Power restoration continues. See the Elexicon outage map. See the Elexicon Gravenhurst page. See Hydro One outage map.

**Concerts this weekend at the Opera House have been cancelled large limbs on this tree out front came down over the sidewalk.**

Things to keep in mind…

The Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit’s Gravenhurst office is open and accepting well water samples for testing. See the SMDHU website for more details.

Anyone with questions about the state of emergency or specific needs can always email the town at [email protected] or call 705-687-3412, and press 8.

Recreation programs at the Centennial Centre have ceased until further notice.

The Gravenhurst Public Library is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Town hall is open during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) weekdays.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911.

General safety reminders: