Ontario lake effect snow- highways closed, pile-ups all over

[conestogo_flood]

The Weather Network is reporting there has been a massive multi-vehicle pile up on the Highway 401 near London, Ontario due to zero visibilities. My dad just called, he is stuck 4 kms south of Ingersoll, Ontario near the accident saying that police are ordering everyone off the highway, Canada's busiest. Environment Canada is predicting up to 40 cm of snow from the squall today. He is turning around and going to try to book a hotel room for the night, he says the sky is black in all directions.

[conestogo_flood]

The 401 is now closed for a stretch of about 100 kms completely. Several mutli-vehicle accidents come only accessible by air ambulance.

[Portastorm]

Wow! that is something! Reminds me of a few snowsquall events I experienced as a kid in northeastern Ohio.

[tropicana]

True Snow Day in London, Ontario
Fri Dec 8 2006

Snow day!

If you don’t absolutely have to be somewhere, stay home.

That’s what London police and city plowing crews across the region are telling people after more than 50 cm of snow blanketed the region.
Among those affected by the winter wallop: Public and Catholic elementary and high schools, as well as Fanshawe College, the University of Western Ontario and its three affiliated colleges and Westervelt college. All are closed.

University exams scheduled for today have been cancelled, and everyone except essential staff are asked to stay home.
London city buses will not be running until at least noon. Buses in Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford counties have all been cancelled.

London cab companies are accepting emergency calls only, and waits are long.
All London public libraries are closed. Administrators are telling people to stay tuned for the possibility that evening programs at the Wolf Performance Hall at the Central branch will be cancelled.

The London and Area Food Bank is closed today, but will have a special open day tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. if bus service resumes and if the streets are clear.
Garbage and recycling collection in E zone has been postponed until Monday. The entire city will be pushed back one day as a result.

The fire department is asking people to clear off the tops of fire hydrants if they know where they are located.
Many businesses are closed, including some malls, so call ahead if you have somewhere to be.

Most Free Press subscribers in the city didn’t get their paper this morning. Hang tight, it will get there eventually, along with the Pennysaver. We hope to safely complete deliveries by the end of the day.
Meals on Wheels has cancelled its deliveries.

The Canada Revenue Agency’s London Tax offices at 451 Talbot Street. Taxpayers with appointments today are asked to call 1-800-959-8281 to re-book their appointment.
All Ontario Works appointments are cancelled.

City-operated recreation centres, arenas and indoor pools including the Canada Games Aquatic centre are closed until 5 p.m., when staff will reassess the situation.
Spectrum programs are cancelled for today, and parks and recreation customer service lines are not being staffed.

Most parking lots are under snow, so people are urged to call their employers to find out what the situation is like. But everyone is asked to stay home for now.
The sidewalks aren’t plowed, so pedestrians are walking on roads, which are also treacherous.

Cars that got stuck last night or this morning are being towed by police, but many are also posing a danger to others on the streets.