According to Hydro One spokesperson Tiziana Baccega Rosa, the weight of accumulating ice has downed tree limbs and wires, particularly affecting remote, water-access-only areas like Parry Sound and Huntsville. In these regions, restoring electricity could take more than 24 hours, as crews must wait until the storm passes before reaching some locations by helicopter or boat. Hydro One crews are working throughout the province to restore service and urged residents to stay clear of downed lines.
Environment Canada issued freezing rain warnings for multiple areas early Saturday, including Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Durham Region, Barrie, and parts of northern York Region. These regions could see between 5 to 10 mm of ice accumulation. For Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton, the forecast predicts 2 to 4 mm of ice, beginning Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday morning. Though Toronto may avoid the storm’s most severe impacts, slippery roads, broken branches, and scattered power outages remain a concern.
Orillia, Lagoon City, and Washago are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with ice buildup reaching 10 to 20 mm and possibly exceeding 25 mm. In addition to the ice, parts of Barrie, Collingwood, and Hillsdale are facing a rainfall warning, with up to 50 mm of rain anticipated by Sunday morning. These combined conditions are creating treacherous travel and power supply challenges throughout the region.
Environment Canada is advising Ontarians to avoid non-essential travel until the storm subsides. Surfaces such as highways, roads, and sidewalks are becoming increasingly slick, and tree branches are at high risk of breaking under the weight of accumulated ice. In Orillia, the local public library has already been forced to close due to power loss. The ice storm is expected to taper off for most areas by midday Sunday, but its impact on communities and infrastructure may last well beyond the weekend.
