County of Simcoe services impacted by severe weather, significant weather events declared/Ended: 1)City of Barrie, 2)Township of springwater, 3) Township of Essa, 4) Town of innisfil- lifted; 5)City of Orillia _updated; 5) Muskoka – lifted; 6)Township of Tiny declares Significant Weather Event

1) City of Barrie – Downtown Barrie snow removal operations taking place overnight January 4-5

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Release, December 30, 2025 – January 2, 2026

The severe winter weather experienced across our region has impacted a number of the County’s services.

Road Maintenance Operations

All County of Simcoe plows are currently active and working to maintain road conditions across the region. Drivers may experience slower clearing in areas where visibility is reduced, but crews are continuing operations as safely and efficiently as possible.

The following County Roads are currently closed:

• County Road 10 from Highway 26 to County Road 9
• County Road 92 from Elmvale to Wasaga
• County Road 29 from County Road 22 to Concession 4 in Tiny

Social and Community Services

• To maximize options for warm, indoor locations, all County of Simcoe Social and Community Services offices located in Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood, Orillia, and Midland are open each weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for individuals seeking shelter from the cold. Please note that both Alliston and Bradford do close from 12 to 1 p.m. daily.
• Warming Centres are open across our region. Visit https://simcoe.ca/winterwarming/ for locations.

County of Simcoe Paramedic Services

• Heavy weather across parts of our region is slowing paramedic response times. Crews are prioritizing life‑threatening emergencies, meaning lower‑priority calls may take longer than usual. Some areas not directly hit by the storm may still see delays as teams are redirected to support harder‑hit communities. Thank you for your patience as paramedics work to reach every call as safely and quickly as conditions allow.

LINX Transit

• Snowfall and poor visibility are impacting travel today. Some roads remain untreated, and delays of up to 25 minutes are occurring on multiple lines.
• Please note, service on Routes 1 and 2 has been impacted. For the latest updates, visit: https://nextlinx.simcoe.ca/
• Safety remains the priority at LINX Transit. Operators are reducing speed and adjusting operations to match road conditions. Service adjustments, including delays or suspensions, will occur where required to protect passenger and operator safety.

Curbside Waste Collection

• Residents are advised that if your collection is missed, please leave carts curbside, ensuring they are clear of snow, for a return later this week.
• Additional updates will be shared through the Simcoe County Collects app.

We will continue to update return plans as information becomes available. Please note that additional collections may occur on Saturday, January 2, due to the New Year’s Day statutory holiday.

City/Township Notices for severe weather were published on December 30th. In case needed, here they are:

1) City of Barrie declares Significant Weather Event and Snow Removal

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release
By Release, December 28, 2025

In response to the freezing rain moving through the area, the City of Barrie has declared a significant weather event that will impact travel and services throughout the municipality.

This declaration is made in accordance with the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (Ontario Regulation 239/02), and is in effect starting December 28, 2025 at 3 p.m.

This declaration is being made due to the ongoing Environment Canada freezing rain warning for the Barrie area.

During the significant weather event, motorists and residents are advised to use extra caution as the City may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks due to ice and freezing rain conditions.

It may take longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to optimal conditions. When the declaration is over, the standard timeline for road and sidewalk winter maintenance will begin.
Reminder: On-street parking is not permitted on City streets from 12:01–7 a.m. and 3–6am within the Downtown Business Improvement Area, from December 1 through to March 31.

For information about road and sidewalk maintenance, please visit barrie.ca/snow. For further information on current and forecasted weather conditions, please visit the Environment Canada website at ec.gc.ca.
The City will provide an update when the significant event has ended.

After days of significant snowfall, the City will be performing snow removal operations in the downtown area during the overnight hours, starting Sunday night. The snow removal will take place from 10 p.m. on Jan. 4 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 5 and again from 10 p.m. on Jan. 5 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 6.

Vehicles must be removed from metered parking in the impacted areas by 8 p.m. on Jan. 4 and by 8 p.m. on Jan 5. Vehicles that are not removed by this time will be ticketed and towed.

This operation will involve rolling road closures. The areas impacted include the following streets, or sections of streets, during the following dates and times:

8 p.m. January 4 to 7 a.m. January 5

Bayfield Street – Simcoe to Sophia

Clapperton – Dunlop East to McDonald

Owen Street – Dunlop East to McDonald

Mulcaster Street – Codrington to Dunlop

Chase McEachern Way

Dunlop Street East – Collier to Bayfield

Collier Street – Poyntz to Bayfield

Worsley Street – Mulcaster to Poyntz

Codrington Street – Mulcaster to McDonald

McDonald – Mulcaster to Sophia East

Sophia Street East – McDonald to Bayfield

8 p.m. January 5 to 7 a.m. January 6

High Street – Bradford to Park

Bradford Street – Simcoe to Dunlop West

Toronto Street – Lakeshore to Ross

Mary Street – Simcoe to Sophia West

Maple Avenue – Simcoe to Ross

Simcoe Street – Bradford to Bayfield

Dunlop Street West – High to Bayfield

Park Street – Parkside to Toronto

Ross Street – Wellington West to Bayfield

Sophia Street West – Toronto to Mary

Snow removal operations are an essential part of the City’s efforts to keep the streets clear for residents, as well as for emergency vehicles.

Township of Springwater updates Significant Weather Event

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release
By Release

The Township of Springwater is currently experiencing a significant weather event resulting in extremely hazardous road conditions throughout the municipality.

The Township is strongly advising all residents and motorists to stay off the roads immediately and avoid all unnecessary travel. Travelling at this time places motorists, emergency responders, and Public Works crews at serious risk and significantly impacts snow removal and emergency response operations.

To support ongoing snow-clearing efforts, residents are required to remove all garbage and recycling carts from sidewalks and roadways immediately and place them well back from the travelled portion of the road. Carts left on sidewalks or roadways may be damaged, displaced, or removed during snow removal operations and pose a safety hazard to equipment operators. Temporary road closures remain in effect in various locations due to weather conditions and ongoing response efforts.

For Township of Springwater road closures, please visit www.municipal511.ca for the most up-to-date information.

The Elmvale Community Centre is open as a warming centre for stranded motorists. Motorists who are unable to continue travelling safely are encouraged to seek shelter at this location.

The Elmvale Arena is currently closed due to the current and forecasted weather conditions. All scheduled rentals and programs are cancelled. Further notice will be provided when the facility has reopened.

The Township of Springwater thanks residents for their cooperation and patience as municipal and emergency crews continue to respond to challenging and dangerous conditions.

For updates, please visit www.springwater.ca/SWE or follow the Township of Springwater on social media.

Township of Essa declares Significant Weather Event

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Release, December 29, 2025

The Township of Essa is declaring a Significant Weather Event due to the ongoing Environment Canada freezing rain warning affecting the area.

This declaration is made under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001. During this event, hazardous ice and freezing rain conditions may prevent the Township from meeting its minimum maintenance standards for roads, and sidewalks.

Township Public Works crews are actively monitoring conditions and responding as resources allow, with priority given to primary roads, emergency routes, and high-risk areas. Residents may experience service delays, particularly on secondary roads and pedestrian areas.

Residents and motorists are advised to limit non-essential travel and use extreme caution when driving or walking on icy surfaces.

The Township will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as required. We thank residents for their patience and cooperation.

Town of Innisfil has lifted Significant Weather Event

https://innisfil.ca/en/news/significant-weather-event-declaration-lifted-in-innisfil.aspx

By Town of Innisfil, January 1, 2025

District of Muskoka has lifted Significant Weather Event Declaration for all District Roads

Courtesy District of Muskoka

December 30, 2025 (Muskoka, ON) – The District of Muskoka has lifted the Significant Weather Event Declaration for all District roads, as of Tuesday, December 30, at 12:00 p.m. The Significant Weather Event for the District of Muskoka was originally declared on December 28, 2025.

City of Orillia Orillia ends significant weather event following ‘incredible storm’

https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/orillia-ends-significant-weather-event-following-incredible-storm-11680780

Township of Tiny declares Significant Weather Event

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Release, January 2, 2026

Township of Tiny declares Significant Weather Event

The Township of Tiny has declared a Significant Weather Event on January 2, based on Environment Canada’s forecast for significant snowfall. Snow will continue to fall and it is anticipated that winds will increase Friday evening which may result in blowing snow. The rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult and isolated power outages are possible.

The Township of Tiny is advising drivers and residents to be cautious and drive to the conditions of the road. Residents can help out by ensuring they:

do not park on any roadways/sidewalks to allow snow clearing vehicles to do their work;

clear catch basins adjacent to their property (where safe to do so); and

keep roadways clear (place garbage/bins on your driveway apron) during scheduled waste collection

Significant Weather Event

Municipalities may declare a Significant Weather Event when a weather hazard, either

forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways

and sidewalks within the municipality. Weather hazards include freezing rain, significant

snowfall, strong winds, blowing snow, and reduced visibility.

This declaration is permitted under the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal

Highways under Ontario Regulation 239/02.

Notice will be provided when the Declaration of Significant Weather Event has been removed based on the township’s ability to achieve the requirements under MMS.