City Facilities Closing Early Today; Key Weather Safety Reminders

Due to current conditions, most City Facilities will be closing early today.  Many City services remain available online at OwenSound.ca.  As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, the following buildings will be closed:

· City Hall

· Public Works Administration Building

· Tom Thomson Art Gallery

· Bayshore Community Centre

· Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre (arena side).  The YMCA will remain open for self directed fitness and swimming. 

· Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library is also closed today.

At this time, Owen Sound Transit (OST) services remain unaffected but riders are encouraged to watch the Transit App for updates. GOST transit is cancelled for today.

Garbage and recycling collection for the East Side Tuesday route will continue as scheduled. 

Winter maintenance crews are working diligently to clear snow from roads and sidewalks as quickly as safely possible.  Residents are encouraged to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary.  For updates on road conditions and closures, visit Municipal511.ca.

With heavy snowfall expected to continue, residents are urged to take precautions to stay safe and minimize disruptions:

· Avoid unnecessary travel - Roads may become hazardous due to snow and ice. If travel is essential, drive with caution, allow extra time, and keep an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, a first aid kit, jumper cables, an ice scraper and shovel, a phone charger, warm clothing, and a blanket.

· Stay indoors during the worst conditions – Reduce exposure to extreme cold and blowing snow to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. 

· Keep vents and exhausts clear – Blocked vents can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup. Regularly check and clear snow from a furnace, dryer, and other exhaust pipes. 

· Avoid blowing, storing, or shovelling snow onto roads, sidewalks, and fire hydrants - City staff work hard to maintain access to this infrastructure. Depositing snow on sidewalks and roads is not only dangerous and against city bylaws, but fire hydrant access is also critical to community safety.

· Check on neighbours – Elderly or vulnerable individuals may need assistance with snow clearing, supplies, or emergencies. 

· Prepare your home – Have an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, and extra batteries in case of power outages. 

· Use caution when shovelling – Take breaks, lift properly, and avoid overexertion, especially for those with health conditions. 

· Keep pets safe – Bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter and fresh water if they must stay outside. 

· Keep sidewalks and entrances clear – Shovel snow promptly to prevent ice buildup and reduce the risk of slips and falls. 

· Watch for falling snow and ice – Be aware of snow accumulation on roofs and icicles that could pose a hazard when they fall. 

· Charge devices – Keep phones and power banks fully charged in case of power outages. 

Residents requiring assistance, emergency shelter, or community support are reminded to call 211. 211 is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. An online 211 resource is also available.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quick Facts: 

· Most City facilities closing at 3 p.m. today.

· Owen Sound remains under a Significant Weather Event declaration. This means that normal timelines under the Minimum Maintenance Standards are extended while snow is cleared as efficiently and safely as possible.

· All winter maintenance equipment, which includes; four snow plow trucks, one grader and four sidewalk plows remain operational and are focusing first on priority roads, hills, emergency routes, and transit areas before moving to residential streets and sidewalks.

· For outage updates or to report one, text 92887 (WATTS), check the outage map, or use the Hydro One app. Visit Hydro One’s website for more information on emergency preparedness during a hydro outage.

· For more weather-related information, please visit: weather reports or Weather Alerts from Environment Canada

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