Local cleanup continues following Dec. 22 ice storm
The local cleanup continues for many in the aftermath of one of worst ice storms to hit the area in recent history.
While power has been restored, for many the task at hand now becomes insurance claims, yard cleanup, and repairing damage to homes, garages, fences and other property.
The freezing rain on Dec. 22 left hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in southern Ontario without power for days.
In Wellington County, the number that lost power was in the thousands, though exact figures are still hard to estimate.
Hydro One’s power outage map indicated over 30,000 homes were without power on Dec. 23 in the Guelph, Listowel and Orangeville areas, which each include a portion of Wellington County.
There were dozens of power outages throughout the county, ranging in size from a handful of customers to several thousand.
Local utilities seemed to have problems cleared up within 24 hours.
Most of the power was restored in Fergus and Elora by Centre Wellington Hydro, which has about 6,200 customers, by the morning of Dec. 23.
Wellington North Power reported that it had all of its approximately 3,600 customers with power restored by the morning of Dec. 23.
Westario Power operations manager David Leonce reported at about 11:30am on Dec. 23 that aside from a few “sporadic outages,” power had been restored to all areas serviced by Westario, including the Town of Minto
But for some serviced by Hydro One and living in rural areas or smaller communities throughout the county – such as Belwood and Salem - power was not restored until Christmas or Boxing Day, putting somewhat of a damper on what is usually a festive holiday.
Many Wellington families were forced to alter the location of their holiday celebrations due to power outages.
In addition to forcing the closure of many local roads throughout the county - some of which lasted for days - the storm also prompted local municipalities to open warming stations for those left in the cold.
On the morning of Dec. 23 Wellington County officials released the list of the following warming centres that were open to the public:
- Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus (including showers and cots available to all residents in need);
- Elora and District Community Centre;
- Erin Fire Station and the Erin municipal office south of Hillsburgh;
- Minto arena and community centres in Harriston, Clifford and Palmerston;
- Moorefield Fire Hall;
- Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle;
- Mount Forest and District Sports Complex; and
- Arthur Community Centre.
The county also announced on Dec. 23 that the museum and archives in Aboyne was closed due to power outages, as were libraries in Marden, Aboyne, Erin and Hillsburgh.
Officials urged residents to use caution on roads and sidewalks and to avoid downed power lines.
Several municipalities, including Minto and Centre Wellington, stated residents can place broken tree limbs and branches by the road for pick-up over the coming weeks.
