Huntsville hit by downed trees and power outages, residents urged to avoid non-essential travel: OPP

Photos of downed trees and power lines in the wake of thunderstorm damage after Victoria Day in Huntsville, Ont. (Jenn Sprague)

Huntsville police are urging residents to avoid non-essential travel Tuesday after severe thunderstorms and powerful winds brought down trees and hydro poles.

Authorities say multiple roadways are currently blocked, reporting significant damage along Aspdin Road near Panolam.

“If travel is necessary, please drive with extra caution,” the Ontario Provincial Police stated in a social media post just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to Hydro One, more than 1,000 customers are without power as crews assess damage.

Due to outages affecting traffic signals, drivers are reminded to use caution when approaching intersections and to treat non-functioning traffic lights as a four-way stop.

Outages in the area are also affecting power, phones and internet at Huntsville High School, Huntsville Public School, Pine Glen Public School and Riverside Public School, with no estimated time for restoration.

Staff say schools remain open to students.

“Currently, crews are reviewing any impacts across the municipality and information is still being gathered,” said the Township of Lake of Bays to CTV News.

On Monday night, a 19-year-old died in hospital after being struck by a falling tree during the storm in Muskoka. Environment Canada reported wind gusts reaching up to 100 kilometres per hour and hail the size of toonies falling in the region overnight.

The national weather agency says there is a 40 per cent chance of showers Tuesday morning and early afternoon, noting another risk of thunderstorms on the horizon.