High winds downs trees, hydro lines; power outages close schools

WOODSTOCK-

A lot of residents are searching for their recycling boxes after high winds blasted the region Monday.

Residents across the county are also busy picking up shingles and downed branches in their yards after winds reaching up to 100 km per hour caused chaos across the county.

Mature trees were toppled by the high winds and trampolines and gazebos blown away, while fences were crumpled by the storm that left a big mess across the county.

Hydro One is reporting numerous power outages across the county, around the Woodstock area, and south of Norwich in the Otterville region, part of 750 outages across the province

Hydro One communications officer Nancy Shaddick said crews are hoping to restore power to the county by tonight, but some locations may be without power until tomorrow.

The power outages forced the closure of Hickson Public School and East Oxford Public School.

Melissa Abercrombie, the countys manager of roads and facilities, said three stop signs were blown down by high winds, which were quickly replaced by temporary signs, with permanent ones installed as soon as possible.

County Road 37 also had to be closed due to hydro lines collapsing onto the road.

Hydro One was unable to attend, she said.

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High winds downs trees, hydro lines; power outages close schools