Winter weather whipped through Wellington as a spring storm brought freezing rain and snow to the region last weekend.
Thousands were without power at the height of the storm, with a few hundred homes still awaiting restoration in pockets around the county on April 17.
Travel was difficult through the weekend, with as much as 90mm of rain, freezing rain and ice pellets falling in some areas as the storm continued through the early part of the week.
On Monday buses were cancelled and schools were closed across the entire Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board. Although snow continued to fall on Tuesday, schools returned to normal schedules.
During the storm road conditions in the county ranged from partly snow-covered to snow packed, yet Wellington OPP reported just 29 collisions, none resulting in serious injuries, between April 14 and 16.
“It wasn’t that bad actually,” stated OPP communications officer constable Marylou Schwindt.
The Grand River Conservation Authority closed parks during the weekend over concerns of accumulating ice bringing down branches and trees. Communities throughout the watershed were on flood watches, as accumulated rainfall and runoff from the storm caused waterways to swell.
Hospital flooding
Patient services at Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and at Palmerston and District Hospital were impacted by flooding at both sites.
North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), which operates both hospitals, reported on April 17 the outpatient lab at the Palmerston hospital was closed until further notice. Outpatients were given the option of going to their nearest Life Labs (Listowel, Fergus or Mount Forest). NWHC advised patients should call ahead to Life Labs to check hours of operation or check www.lifelabs.com.
Patients can also check with their doctor’s office.
At Louise Marshall Hospital:
– the operating room was closed until further notice. All surgeries were cancelled for the week; and
– chiropody and foot care clinics are cancelled until further notice.
All other services, at both hospitals, are running as usual – including emergency room services.
Clean-up and restoration are underway at both hospitals.
Residents can get regular updates at www.nwhealthcare.ca.
