Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — As rays of sun shone this afternoon offering some hope, Gravenhurst town officials met with provincial emergency officials, including Emergency Management Ontario representatives, the OPP, District of Muskoka representatives, Elexicon staff and neighbouring municipal representatives.

That’s the latest today from the Town of Gravenhurst as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

The aim was to determine next steps and what resources are required to clean up after three days of mountainous snowfall.

Resources from other municipalities are on the way to Gravenhurst to assist with snow clean-up and will be deployed as they arrive. Details on which municipal partners are assisting will be provided later.

The town continues to remind residents and visitors to stay home. And “please avoid travel by foot or car.”

They advise that emergency services are limited, and in some instances, some may not be able to respond as fast.

Town snowplow crews and contractors continue to clear roads, but this work is limited and slow because of obstacles such as downed trees and limbs, downed power lines, and vehicles that are blocking routes.

They say cleanup will continue for several days and that further information will be provided in future updates. Again tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Things to keep in mind…

The Centennial Centre is open until further notice for people needing a place to seek shelter. However, they ask that people not make their way to the centre unless necessary.

“We are trying to avoid situations where people leave their home, get stuck en route to the centre, and then require assistance.

“Please check on your neighbours to make sure they are OK. We have heard several stories about people caring for each other and these are heart-warming and reflective of our great community. We have a long history of working together in the face of adversity. We will get through this situation.”

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

The Gravenhurst Public Library is closed until further notice.

If you have general, non-emergency inquires, please e-mail [email protected] or telephone 705-687-3412, ext. 2237.

Town hall will be open tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 2) with a skeleton staff. Please avoid visiting the town hall unless necessary. Connect with staff via e-mail and phone.

Power outages continue and likely will for the next few days. See the Elexicon outage map for details. See Hydro One outage map for details.

Please avoid situations that put your home or shelter location at risk (for example makeshift fires and unattended candles).

If you experience an emergency, dial 911.

For more information go to their website or follow this developing story at www.muskokatoday.com

S-NOTES:

• Last night the district announced that with the storm still in effect, all curbside collection scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2, including downtown business collection area routes, have been cancelled. They ask everyone to keep your materials inside and avoid placing them at the curb to limit interference with critical snow clearing operations. Details on updated set-out limits for collection next week will be shared once available. Also, due to the state of emergency in Gravenhurst, the Beiers Transfer Station and Housey’s Rapids Depot are expected to remain closed Monday as well. Updates on other waste drop-off facilities will be shared tomorrow morning.

• Snow even stopped Santa from arriving at the Scout Hall in Gravenhurst Saturday morning for photos with the kids and pancake breakfast. Scout leader Mary Jane Reid said while he could have gotten there, the power was out and the driveway was plugged. “We didn’t think Mother Mature would dump on us.” Besides, her own snowblower broke down Friday. She hopes they can find a Saturday before Christmas. Watch for that. Weather permitting.
• While Gravenhurst’s fire department ATV snowmobile was trailored up and down Bay Street this weekend, the mayor says she is not aware of whether it was used to access cottagers or on their roads. They also say: “We need your help! Ensure your vents are all cleared of snow, do NOT travel if you do not need to, do NOT use any fuel-fired appliances or BBQs indoors. Keep your address clear of snow so emergency services can see it & keep walkways clear if you can.”
• Young able-bodied adults looking for work shovelling snow off roofs have no shortage of opportunities if they avail themselves going door-to-door. However, home and business owners should pay them a decent wage by the hour — more than minimum wage. At least $25. It’s a tough job even for the fittest. The Buffalo Bills paid $20 US today to shovel out their stadium for QB Josh Allen’s blowout winning game tonight against San Fran.

• Reporter Lois Cooper wrote this morning: “I have only experienced more snow than this once, in 1963, when I had to crawl (as my legs could not reach the ground) over to my brother Tom and his wife Christine’s house in Fort France and dig their door out as they were blocked in. The city of Winnipeg was completely blocked. Snowmobiles were new and volunteers took supplies to those in need. The roads had to be cleared by bulldozer before the plows could get through.

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