With the blizzard forcing the Chatham-Kent Police Service to close multiple roads on Friday, December 23, 2022, dozens of stranded residents from the area are being forced to spend the night at Walmart in Chatham.
Randy Morton, a Chatham resident, told the Sydenham Current that despite living less than a kilometre away, road closures on St. Clair Street and Pioneer Line in Chatham have forced him to stay put.
He said the staff at Walmart have been incredibly accommodating to those impacted, which Morton estimates is somewhere around 100 people.
Listen to the full interview with Morton, below:
Here are some photos sent by Morton as well:
Messages sent to Walmart Canada have yet to returned.
In a post on social media at 2:52 p.m., the Chatham-Kent Police Service advised motorists to stay off all roadways within the Municipality.
“Several roads have been closed and are impassable,” police officials said.
“Weather conditions have worsened to the point where becoming stranded is highly probable and extremely dangerous. At this time, emergency services will have extreme difficulty reaching stranded motorists. Please take shelter and do not consider travelling home if you are in a place of safety.”
Police said the current road closures, include:
– St. Clair at Pioneer Line and Gregory Drive
– Kent Bridge Road
– Grand River Line, between Winter Line and Bear Line
– Victoria Road
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said other stranded motorists are currently sheltering in the Ridgetown and Tilbury arenas, who need accommodations for the night.
“If you have room at your home to take in one or more individuals, please call 519-360-1998 or 3-1-1 and we will match you with someone,” Municipal officials said in a media release.
The Ministry of Transportation has also closed Highway 40 between Wallaceburg and Chatham. Details, here.
A blizzard warning remains in effect across Chatham-Kent by Environment Canada. Details, here.
