Freezing Rain Causes Major Power Outages and Travel Disruptions in Barrie
Hey everyone, if you’re in Barrie or the surrounding areas, you need to be aware of the ongoing situation caused by this intense freezing rain. The city has officially declared a significant weather event due to the hazardous conditions, and things are far from normal right now.
With freezing rain sweeping through the region, power outages have become widespread across Simcoe County and Muskoka. Crews have been working non-stop through the night to restore electricity, but with the persistent rain and ice accumulation, it’s going to take some time. Alectra Utilities is working hard to bring parts of central Barrie back online by 10 a.m., with some areas expected to have power restored by 1 p.m. However, other parts remain uncertain. Meanwhile, InnPower has indicated that full power restoration might not happen until as late as 8 p.m. tonight.
Now, if you see any downed power lines, please stay away from them! These can be extremely dangerous. If you need to report one, be patient—call centers are overwhelmed with reports right now. The best thing you can do is stay indoors, conserve power where possible, and wait for updates from local authorities.
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As for the roads, things are looking rough. Many traffic lights are out, so if you’re driving, make sure to treat intersections as four-way stops. Black ice is another major concern, so avoid non-essential travel if you can. There are also numerous road closures, including Highway 11 in both directions through Oro-Medonte due to downed power lines. Hidden Valley Road has also been reported to have fallen tree limbs, so be extra cautious if you’re using alternate routes. Highway 400’s right lanes southbound at Bayfield Street are also blocked due to fallen trees.
The city is reminding residents that during this significant weather event, maintenance on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks may be delayed. Crews are doing their best, but it could take longer than usual to clear the ice and ensure safe passage.
And just a quick reminder—on-street parking is still prohibited from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. across the city and from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the downtown core. This is in effect until March 31, so plan accordingly if you have to park overnight.
If you need updates on road conditions or winter maintenance, you can check barrie.ca/snow. And for real-time weather warnings and updates, head over to Environment Canada’s website.
Stay safe, Barrie! Keep warm, check in on your neighbors, and let’s get through this together. The city will provide updates once the weather event is over and conditions improve.
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