Chatham-Kent police are urging motorists to use extreme caution as snow squalls continue to move through the region, contributing to multiple crashes and vehicles leaving the roadway.
Between Wednesday and early Thursday morning, the Chatham-Kent Police Service responded to six motor vehicle collisions and 10 additional incidents requiring police assistance after motorists slid off the road. Police say road conditions remain hazardous and drivers should allow extra travel time, drive cautiously and ensure vehicle lights are on.
Environment Canada has issued a yellow snow squall warning for the area, with moderate impacts and high forecast confidence. Local snow squalls are expected to continue through Thursday afternoon, with an additional five to 10 centimetres of snowfall possible. Reduced visibility is expected in heavy snow and blowing snow, with northerly wind gusts of 50 to 60 km/h capable of suddenly reducing visibility to near zero at times. Environment Canada warns conditions may deteriorate quickly and is advising the public to monitor forecasts and alerts.
The weather has forced widespread school and program closures. All St. Clair Catholic elementary and secondary schools, along with board facilities, are closed Thursday due to significant snowfall over the past 12 hours, poor visibility and unsafe road conditions. Child care centres located in schools are also closed, and all after-school activities and community use events have been cancelled.
The Lambton Kent District School Board has also closed all schools and board offices for the day. The board says after-school activities, including secondary school open houses and a Special Education Advisory Committee meeting, have been rescheduled.
On Walpole Island First Nation, inclement weather procedures were implemented Thursday morning. All WIFN programs and services were closed until 1 p.m., while BK/AK School and the Bkejwanong Children’s Centre were closed for the full day. In an afternoon update, Walpole Island First Nation officials said offices and programs reopened at 1 p.m., with the exception of BK, AK, BCC and BBK, which remained closed for the day.
Authorities across the region continue to advise residents to avoid unnecessary travel where possible and to remain alert to rapidly changing weather and road conditions.
