Thames Centre Declares Significant Weather Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thames Centre Declares Significant Weather Event

Municipality Has Been Experiencing Heavy Snowfall,
and High Amounts of Wind-Blown Snow on Local Roads

THAMES CENTRE – As of 8:00 AM local time, Thames Centre has officially declared a Significant Weather Event as per Ontario Regulation 239/02.  This declaration applies to all local municipal roads within Thames Centre and does not apply to county roads or Provincial highways.

“We are experiencing large amounts of snowfall and expect roads to be challenging for drivers today and throughout the weekend,” notes Mayor Sharron McMillan. “We ask everyone to do what they can to limit unnecessary travel, and to avoid parkin cars on roads. Our public works team is working diligently to keep our roads clear, and we must do what we can to help.”

What is a Significant Weather Event?

Regulation 239/02 of the Ontario Municipal Act, a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways in which they have authority. This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives.

Why is the Municipality of Thames Centre Declaring a Significant Weather Event? 

Thames Centre is declaring a significant weather event due to challenging winter weather conditions. Dangerous snow squalls and significant blowing snow continue in areas of the municipality.  Widespread blowing snow resulting in near zero visibility is a concern and travel is likely to be extremely hazardous.  Conditions may change and deteriorate quickly. These types of winter events may affect our ability to maintain the municipal roads at the service level that road users would normally expect.

Notice of this declaration will be circulated by Thames Centre to the media via a news release and communicated to the public via the municipal website and social media. When the declaration has concluded, an update will be communicated via these same channels. For more information on road conditions, please visit: www.thamescentre.on.ca

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Contact:

Michael Ramnanan
Communications Manager
mramnanan@thamescentre.on.ca
519.268-7334 ext. 258