Several Clarington roads have reopened after strong winds brought down trees and power lines during Tuesday’s severe weather.
Municipal crews spent Tuesday evening clearing debris and restoring access to roads in Courtice and Bowmanville. Nash Road, Lambs Road and Concession Road 3 have since reopened to traffic.
The Municipality of Clarington had temporarily closed Nash Road between Holt Road and Maple Grove Road after storm damage created unsafe driving conditions.
Lambs Road was also closed between Bethesda Road and Concession Street East, while Concession Road 3 was blocked between Mearns Avenue and Bragg Road.
All three storm-related closures have now been lifted.
Sandringham Drive Remains Closed
Sandringham Drive remains closed between Stirling Avenue and Strathallan Drive in Courtice.
Although the road was included in the municipality’s initial list of closures following the storm, the continuing Sandringham Drive closure is connected to a watermain break reported shortly after midnight Tuesday.
The rupture caused water to spread across the residential roadway before emergency crews isolated the damaged watermain.
Drivers and pedestrians are being asked to avoid the affected section and use alternate local routes until repairs are completed and the road is approved for reopening.
The municipality has not announced a reopening time for Sandringham Drive.
Residents should continue checking official Clarington road-disruption updates before travelling through the neighbourhood.
Strong Winds Damage Trees and Power Lines
The July 21 storm brought strong winds to several communities across Durham Region.
While parts of southern Durham avoided the heaviest rainfall reported farther north, communities near Lake Ontario experienced wind strong enough to damage trees and power lines.
The fallen trees and utility lines created dangerous conditions on several local roads, requiring temporary closures while emergency and municipal crews completed cleanup work.
Residents are reminded never to approach a fallen power line. All downed wires should be treated as energized, even when there are no visible sparks or signs of electricity.
People should remain well back from damaged lines and immediately report them to the appropriate utility provider or emergency service.
Drivers should also avoid attempting to travel around barricades, fallen trees or municipal work vehicles.
Residents Can Report Fallen Trees
Clarington residents who notice a fallen tree on a municipal roadway or other public property can report it through the Service Clarington portal.
Reports can also be made by calling 905-623-3379, extension 2661, during regular business hours.
Urgent issues outside normal hours can be reported by calling 905-433-1234.
Residents should provide the location of the tree, details about whether it is blocking a road or sidewalk and information about any nearby power lines.
Trees located on private property are generally the responsibility of the property owner unless they create an immediate danger to public roads, sidewalks or utility infrastructure.
Northern Durham Faced More Severe Conditions
Environment Canada issued thunderstorm warnings for northern Durham communities during Tuesday’s storm, including Uxbridge, Sunderland and Beaverton.
The warnings included the possibility of wind gusts reaching approximately 90 kilometres per hour and significant rainfall in some locations.
Residents across Durham were advised to move indoors when thunder was heard and to stay away from windows during the strongest storms.
The storm also caused damage elsewhere in the region, including a lightning strike at the historic Uxbridge Public Library clock tower.
No injuries were reported during that incident, but the library was closed while structural assessments were completed.
In Clarington, Nash Road, Lambs Road and Concession Road 3 are now open. Sandringham Drive remains closed because of the separate watermain repair.
This article should be updated when the Municipality of Clarington confirms that Sandringham Drive has reopened.
