GRAVENHURST, ONTARIO – Gravenhurst continues to recover from a historic snowstorm that pummeled parts of Ontario over the weekend, leaving the town buried under 140 centimeters of snow and prompting a state of emergency. Snow-clearing efforts have been slowed by downed hydro lines, fallen trees, and abandoned vehicles, officials said Monday.
Since Saturday, crews have removed over 50 trees blocking roadways, though progress remains slow due to the scale of the damage. “Getting tree removal resources to these locations takes time,” a statement from the town noted.
The town, located about 176 kilometers north of Toronto, is facing widespread power disruptions, with dozens of hydro lines draped across roads. In each case, utility workers must clear the lines before snowplows can proceed, adding another layer of complexity to the cleanup efforts.
Highway 11 Reopening Brings Hope
Ontario Provincial Police announced the partial reopening of Highway 11, a major thoroughfare, after nearly 100 kilometers were shut down. Northbound lanes at West Street are open, and southbound lanes from Highway 60 in Huntsville were expected to reopen by late Monday afternoon.
Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz described the event as unprecedented. “I’ve been here for 27 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it in such a short period of time,” Lorenz told CBC News.
Residents Digging Out
For residents and visitors, the storm has brought challenges unlike anything they’ve faced before. Dustin Soares, vacationing at a family cottage on Lake Muskoka, described the ordeal of digging out after being effectively stranded.
“This is the first time we’ve been stuck in 30 years, which just tells you the scope of how bad the storm really was up here,” Soares said.
His group of six relied on a generator and supplies to endure the storm. Despite clearing their cars of snow, the trek to a plowed road involved traversing two kilometers through deep drifts, including an uphill path from their cottage.
“Never underestimate [the elements],” Soares advised.
Reinforcements Arrive
Municipalities from across the region are stepping in to assist with snow removal. Crews from Peel and Simcoe counties are already in Gravenhurst, with additional support from Vaughan arriving Monday.
“Our intent is to get roads open to at least one lane,” the town stated.
The extraordinary storm has tested Gravenhurst’s resilience, but with reinforcements and community determination, the town is slowly digging out of the record-breaking snow.