Freezing rain brings Kawartha Lakes and Brock to a standstill

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES/BROCK: Sunday, December 28th, arrived with an uneasy quiet, across Kawartha Lakes and the Township of Brock. The sky was gray, the air sharp with winter cold, and the forecast promised a coating of freezing rain which had residents remembering last spring’s ice storm: downed trees, power outages, and days of cleanup. People checked their driveways, prepared their sidewalks, and wondered: would this Sunday be just a slick inconvenience, or another test of patience and resilience for the community?

City and township crews were out early, snow plows, loaded with salt and sand, tackled icy patches on roads and driveways before the first drizzle froze. Sidewalks shimmered under the gray light, and small branches, remnants of winter storms past, littered lawns and streets.

“Even just stepping out to the mailbox felt like an adventure,” said local resident Tanya Little. “You could feel the ice under your boots. It made you think twice before going anywhere.”

In Brock, Mayor Mike Jubb kept residents updated, with a series of social media videos, throughout the day. His steady reminders came with a side of humour, when he slipped on a patch of ice mid-update. “If the mayor can slip, anyone can. It wasn’t planned, but it made a great point for our residents to stay inside,” he said with a grin, reminding everyone why staying off the roads was the safest option.

Both municipalities had declared a Significant Weather Event for Sunday, mobilizing crews to salt and sand roads overnight and into Monday morning. Officials warned residents, delays were possible, due to limited resources or areas difficult to access.

“Safety is our priority,” said, Kawartha Lakes councillor, Mike Perry. “Roads will be icy, and conditions can change quickly. Staying home isn’t just safer for you, it lets our crews get the work done efficiently.”

Thankfully, what was feared worst did not materialize. While there were a few scattered power outages, service was restored within hours. Roads were slippery but navigable, and the area largely avoided the widespread damage many had feared. Residents cautiously ventured out, some clearing driveways and sidewalks, others content to watch icicles glint from rooftops and eaves.

“It wasn’t the ice storm we worried about, but it definitely reminded you to respect the winter weather,” added Ms. Little. “Seeing the crews out before sunrise made me appreciate how much work goes into keeping us safe.”

The Significant Weather Event was officially lifted, on December 31st, once municipal crews confirmed service levels had returned to normal. Officials continue to remind residents to keep emergency contact information handy and to exercise caution during winter storms.