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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, DECEMBER 13,2000 PAGE A3 How to be prepared for severe winter storms WALTER PASSARELLA/Statesman photo CLARINGTON - Ontario Provincial Police tend to a track in the ditch on the westbound lanes ofHwy. 401 west of Hwy. 115 yesterday morning as motorists contended with snow-covered roads. Two other vehicles were also involved in this mishap. Winter arrives j with a wallop | Fender-benders, cancelled school buses & result from season's first snowstorm buses ü; CLARINGTON - The first storm of the season turned out to be a sleeping giant easily lamed by Clarington's Clarington's public works department, although it did cause some disruption disruption in morning traffic and grounded ârea school buses. C "The actual snowfall here compared compared to areas west of us was very manageable," said Stephen Yokes, Claringtori public works director. "It was not of a magnitude of storm to cause any problems." ;•/ Monday night, the municipality §ent out seven salt trucks to lay the groundwork for the plows. Then, at 4 arm. Tuesday, plows were dispatched (o clear the roads for morning traffic, Said Mr. Yokes. The greatest accumulation, accumulation, he suggested, was in the Kendal area where approximately 15 ôèntimetres fell, but even that posed np problem for the plows, he said. |'j Though no ■ public schools were closed as a result of the weather, all across the Kawartha Pine District School Board were cancelled Tuesday morning, reports Judy Malfara, the board's communications communications officer. "Each operator t akes his own decision" on whether not to run buses on dayé. when «leather is poor, said Ms. Malfara. '•'That call was up to them." ; Based on checks at schools across the board's jurisdiction, attendance ranged from zero to 40 per cent, and pjipils who did turn up for class were "not learning anything new," said Ms. Malfara. Teachers had students 1 reviewing materials, receiving one- bh-one help, and participating in other curriculum-related activities oh the snowy day. ; I The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board was irl a similar situation, with all buses cancelled, but schools remaining open. > Meanwhile, across Clarington, there were 10 minor car accidents between Monday and Tuesday, said Inspector Ross Smith of the Durham Regional Police Clarington Community Community Office. Only one resulted in injuries, injuries, which Insp. Smith said were minor. The snow played a role in the fender-benders, he said. ;;! "Adverse weather conditions were à; contributing factor in most of (hem," noted Insp. Smith. f. Clarington's situation was similar to the rest of Durham Region. ^'We're not aware of any major accidents, accidents, mainly fender benders," said Staff-Sergeant Dave Kuchma, of the DRP Traffic Management Unit. "Everyone is cither staying home or behaving themselves." Slaff-Sgt. Kuchma said if there's a serious accident in the region, it's his unit which gets the call. Things have been fairly quiet both through Monday and Tuesday's heavy snowfalls, snowfalls, he said. "I think there's been enough media coverage (beforehand)," he said, adding everyone knew to prepare prepare for some challenging driving. Accidents were also fairly minor on area highways, said Constable Julia McCuaig of OPP Whitby. Monday Monday night, 10 property damage accidents accidents were reported, along with three personal injury accidents. Tuesday there were 18 property damage accidents accidents and two personal injury collisions. collisions. All injuries were "very minor," reported Const. McCuaig. For those who did encounter Weather-related car problems, the wait for help was a little longer than usual. The CAA was reporting it remained remained on red alert through Tuesday and into this morning, Wednesday, with two to three hour waits routine for its members. :■ • • V The heavier accumulation to the west of Clarington did cause 'a minor inconvenience to General Motors production in Oshawa. "Apparently there's more significant significant snowfall in the Windsor-Detroit area which has tied trucks up," said General Motors' spokesman Stew Low. Poor highway conditions caused a traffic backup at the Peace Bridge border Tuesday causing late delivery of parts to the local vehicle manufacturer. manufacturer. As a result, the truck plant's day shift and the car shift were sent home early, both losing four hours of production, he said. As road conditions improved later Tuesday morning both the afternoon and third shift were expected to continue continue at normal production times, Mr. Low reported. Although Clarington's public works department was able to easily plow through this storm, Mr. Yokes cautioned there still could be messier days ahead if the snowfall were to continue through the week. "What really taps us out is one storm after another in rapid succession. succession. The thing that sets us back the worst is the normal storms when they come one after another." With winter weather upon us, the Canadian Red Cross is offering timely tips to help reduce the problems and discomfort discomfort that can be associated associated with seasonal storms. • Have a plan. Discuss as a family where to meet if you cannot make it home. • Get supplies ready. Se vere storms may leave you in the cold without proper heat or lighting. • Prepare your car in case you get stuck. Make sure you have an ice scraper and brush, shovel, sand, blankets, a candle in a deep can, waterproof waterproof matches, tow chain, warning light or flares, flash light, hat and warm clothes, food bars, booster cables, first aid kit, road maps. methyl hydrate to de-ice the fuel line and a fire extinguisher. extinguisher. 'astr<§Minute qBe prepared with the perfect H last-minute gift! Choose from our extensive selection of fresh and silk : ; flowers, plants, and unique gift interns. O'Mefloia' % nm «si 33 King St. W., Bowmanville 623-8855 ; : Call Clarington This Week ®l)C (Cmmttinu Mil F at 623-3303 INTOWNE GALLERY & GIFT SHOPPE Bag Ladies Frederick the Literate $4195 The Bradford Exchange at the Intowne Gallery Historic Downtown Bowmanville 7 King St. E. 623-6411 Great Selection of DVD's and VCR's Home Stereo System Panasonic Mini System Paddy's Market New and Reconditioned Appliances hp Sales • Service • Parts 2Z SN business hours: Taunton Rd., Mon.-Fit 9 a.m.-6 p.m. u • Thuts. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Hampton : Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (3 miles east of Courtlce Rd.) 263-8369 1-800-798-5502 t Taunton Rd. 1 a PADDYS MARKET 1 OPPING DATS Don't panic! We still have a great selection of wonderful Christmas gift ideas. You can also choose from: Boxed Chocolates and Candies from Laura Secord, Black Magic and Cadbury's Cosmetics for Women and Men Cards and Gift Wrap Great Selection of Gift Items McGregor Drugs Your Local LD.A. Drug Store 5 King St. W., Bowmanville Telephone 623-5792 ; v ANDTRUCKS I ; OVER 200 NEW VEHICLES IN STOCK V ON SALE NOW VISIT US TODAY AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE BEST! IgSjggMgj» r -- T --.i _• ' ■ \ 1 I 4 . t/UFï ^ SHUTTLE SERVICE •SERVICE • PARTS NEW MODERN 12 BAY SERVICE DEPT. ALSO EXPANDED PARTS DEPT. N H e 401 CHRYSLER)' BlnorSl South Service Rd Durham Dodge Oshawa Chrysler GO Station 1 W 799 BLOOR ST. W„ OSHAWA 404-0525