Muskoka Hit Hard by Unprecedented Winter Storm

Muskoka was hit hard this Saturday by an unprecedented winter storm, with residents grappling with nearly a metre of snow that transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland—and a logistical nightmare. The relentless snowfall, which began on November 30, 2024, prompted widespread road closures, widespread power outages, and a declaration of a ‘Significant Weather Event’ by the District Municipality of Muskoka.

Snow Accumulation Reports

Environment Canada reported staggering snowfall totals by 9 a.m. on Saturday: Gravenhurst was buried under 45 centimetres, Washago 40 centimetres, Orillia 25 centimetres, while the regional hub of Bracebridge, unofficially, recorded an astounding 89 centimetres. Visibility was so poor in areas near Orillia that near-whiteout conditions halted traffic and complicated rescue efforts.

Highway 11 Closed

With road conditions deteriorating, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) made the tough call to close Highway 11 in both directions between Doe Lake Road and Washago. Motorists found themselves stranded on the highway for hours without food or water, straining the community's resources. OPP Central Region shared updates on social media, revealing that towing services were initially hindered by elusively blocked roads, delaying assistance.

Emergency Response

Bracebridge's fire chief confirmed that there were at least a couple hundred vehicles stranded on the highway. Fire crews sprang into action, transporting motorists to Gravenhurst Town Hall using off-road vehicles equipped to navigate the treacherous conditions, providing access to generators as power outages affected tens of thousands of residents. Local electrical suppliers, including Lakeland Power, Elexicon Energy, and Hydro One, confirmed extensive outages across the region, leaving many communities in the dark.

Continuing Snow Squalls

As warnings of continuing snow squalls persisted, Environment Canada advised that up to 50 additional centimetres of snow might fall by Sunday afternoon, with snow accumulation rates peaking at an alarming five to ten centimetres per hour. Towns throughout the Muskoka region—such as Barrie, Huntsville, and Collingwood—were also placed under snow squall warnings, highlighting the widespread effect of this storm.

Progress in Rescue Efforts

Late Saturday evening, efforts began to reflect progress, with OPP Central Region reporting the clearance of most stranded passenger vehicles on Highway 11, leaving fewer than 20 left in need of rescue. Abandoned cars were towed to a Canadian Tire parking lot in Gravenhurst as part of the ongoing response.

Looking Ahead

As Emergency Services continued their attempts to stabilize the situation, police noted that both northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 11 would remain closed between Highway 169 and Highway 118 for the foreseeable future. The eyes of the community are now turned to the skies, waiting for the storm to pass and hoping for a return to safety and normalcy in Muskoka.

Stay Alert! What Will Happen Next in Muskoka?

Will the weather improve in time for the holiday season, or will locals have to face more winter challenges? Stay tuned for continuous updates!