The County of Renfrew is preparing for a winter storm that’s expected to hit the region with heavy snow, rain, flash freezing and strong winds. Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning across the Ottawa Valley and western Quebec.
Michael Nolan, Chief Paramedic and Director of Emergency Services for the County of Renfrew, says paramedics are expecting more calls from people slipping and falling, having heart attacks from shovelling snow, and the unprecedented levels of respiratory illness, influenza and COVID-19 in the community. Nolan says it could take longer for paramedics to respond due to the road conditions.
Nolan adds paramedics have already seen some deaths this year related to snow shovelling and people over exerting themselves during a storm.
The Chief Paramedic and Director of Emergency Services is also reminding everyone that the ice on rivers and lakes is still not safe.
Local police say consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP is reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert and stay in control. Constable Mike Mahon says they want everyone to get where they’re going safely.
Hydro One is gearing up for the winter storm and urging customers to prepare for extended power outages by having a stocked emergency kit. Updates on power outages can be found on the Hydro One outage map. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to have an emergency plan and an emergency kit with items like drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and flashlight.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
