The Town of South Bruce Peninsula continues to respond to cleanup and weather related issues from last weekend’s ice storm, and more weather is on the way.
Fire Chief and Manager of Emergency Services Tim Wilson has a warning about generators and carbon monoxide.
He says during the weekend ice storm and its aftermath, firefighters attended various weather related calls due to public hazards and downed hydro lines but also some carbon monoxide alarm activations due to generators being a little bit too close to residences.
“I would like to remind residents if they have their generators going, please keep them away from the open doors and windows of your residence so that the toxic fumes don’t enter the household,” says Wilson.
Wilson gave a report to council Tuesday, updating them on the situation in town. About 1,000 people in South Bruce Peninsula were still without power Tuesday, and thousands of others in Grey Bruce as well.
Wilson says, early in the event, on Saturday March 29th the area had already gotten 50 mm of rain.
“That was already the total forecasted accumulation for the entire weekend event. So we have exceeded that amount of rainfall,” says Wilson.
He says the freezing rain came late Saturday and Sunday morning, noting, “The highest accumulation and most affecting utility and roadway and workway service was in the Purple Valley area.”
The Town has been putting updates on its response on its Facebook page and its website.
On Monday morning, the emergency management team opened the Wiarton arena to the community for use of the facilities like showers and recharging devices.
Wilson says, “All watershed and low lying areas remain at water peak levels. Sideroad 15 in South Bruce Peninsula remains closed due to flooding. Our control group communities to monitor the cleanup progress and is already turning its focus towards the next storm system that may potentially impact our area.”
Freezing rain followed by heavy rain is expected in Grey Bruce Wednesday.
