More than 120 thousand Hydro One customers were in the dark as of Saturday night as freezing rain coated central Ontario in a sheet of ice. Trees and branches continued to fall on power lines and roads through Simcoe County and Muskoka.
Police are urging motorists to avoid travel, and the storm has also led to a number of road closures throughout Oro-Medonte, including Highway 11 and Old Barrie Road, and Highway 11 between Highway 93 and Line 7.
Hydro One estimated it would take until Sunday evening to restore power.
The city of Orillia urged residents to stay in their homes and stay off the roads.
An update Saturday night said Orillia’s Fire Department was managing a high volume of calls related to downed trees and power lines across the city.
Ice Storm Update – March 29 at 8:30 pm: #Orillia Fire is managing a high volume of calls for downed trees & power lines across the city. Road closures are in effect. Residents should stay in their homes and stay off the roads at this time. Full update: https://t.co/J5sJHVjABP pic.twitter.com/Ifn8Lf60LP
— City of Orillia (@cityoforillia) March 30, 2025
Multiple downed power lines in Oro-Medonte due to the ice storm. Stay clear of wires. Call 911 in the event of an emergency #OroMedonte #Safety pic.twitter.com/mhNHNO0RIp
— Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services (@OroMedonteFire) March 29, 2025
Fire Crews are out from Windermere/Raymond on Camel Lake Road. Multiple hydro lines down and live causing a few small fires. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/ltkMAEMLAf
— Muskoka Lakes Fire Department (@MuskokaLakesFD) March 30, 2025
Numerous municipalities declared significant weather events. The freezing rain is expected to change to rain Sunday afternoon.
