Earlier:
In a press release Wednesday, Denver Mayhew, the operations manager for the Municipality of Hastings Highlands, declared a significant weather event, starting at 5 p.m.
This is in response to Environment Canada’s forecast of a winter storm, starting Wednesday evening, with widespread snowfall accumulation expected.
In the interest of safety for everyone, the declaration means that the municipality will be exempt from provincial service levels for winter maintenance.
Ontario regulations define a significant weather event as “an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within a municipality.”
The event means it may take longer than usual to clear municipal roads and sidewalks.
The municipality encourages all residents on the roads and sidewalks to be cautious and avoid unnecessary travel for the duration of the event. The declaration, they say, will be cancelled as soon as roadways are deemed safe.
