Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Road Closure Advisory

The Ontario Provincial Police advise the public of the following road closure.

Location: Hwy 17 just north of Old Woman Bay – signs at Batchawana (Hwy 17 & 563) and Wawa (Hwy 17)

Detachment area: Sault Ste Marie and Wawa

Time of road closure: 11:05am on 09 Apr 08

Reason for the closure: several tractor trailers jack-knifed or stuck on highway

Detour: none

Estimated duration of closure: approx 2-3hrs

Time road reopened: (will advise )


Note: Detailed motor vehicle collision information will be provided by the detachment as it becomes available.

Road Closure Advisory- NOW OPEN

The Ontario Provincial Police advise the public of the following road closure.

Location: Hwy 11 from Hearst to Smooth Rock Falls

Detachment area: Hearst / Cochrane

Time of road closure: 09 Apr 08 at 0955am

Reason for the closure: weather and driving conditions are poor – visibility minimal due to whiteout conditions.

Detour:

Estimated duration of closure: unknown – when weather clears up.

Time road reopened: 11:30am Today.

Note: Detailed motor vehicle collision information will be provided by the detachment as it becomes available.


PREPARING FOR A FLOOD

(Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) In the spring, the amount of additional precipitation and the timing and rate of the snowmelt both have a significant impact on the flood potential.

Next to the spring thaw, heavy storm rainfall is the most common cause of flooding, especially when the ground is already saturated from previous storms.

The Ontario Provincial Police would like to remind the public how to prepare if there is an immediate danger of flooding with the following safety tips:

1. Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve.
2. Properly safeguard electrical, natural gas or propane heating equipment.
3. Shut off electricity. It the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, stand on a dry board and shut off the power with a dry wooden stick.
4. Try to move furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings to floors above ground level.
5. Remove toxic substances such as pesticides and insecticides from the flood area to prevent pollution.
6. Remove toilet bowls and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden stopper.
7. Disconnect eaves troughs if they are connected to the house sewer.

During a flood keep you radio on to find out what areas are affected, as well as what roads are safe, where to go and what to do if the local emergency team asks you to leave your home. Keep an emergency kit close at hand, in a portable container such as a duffel bag.

It is very important never to cross a flooded area either on foot or by car. The water may be deeper than it looks, and may be rising quickly.

Know The Risks. Be Prepared.