OPP is urging motorists to stay home in the impacted area of Highway 11 and avoid travelling.
"Additional vehicles on the roads put occupants at risk and add additional challenges for snow removal," says a release.
Highway 11, which remains closed in both directions between Highway 60 in Huntsville and West Street in Orillia, has been cleared of all obstructions and is now awaiting snow removal to be completed.
Ontario 511 says the highway is still closed in both directions. All community transit services have been cancelled for today.
Members of the OPP continue to work with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, road maintenance contractors and operators of snow removal equipment to clear Highway 11 and prepare for a full reopening.
As a result of the significant snow accumulation in the region, Highway 11 and other roads in the area became impassable. Hundreds of vehicles and drivers became stranded as a result.
Crews continue to work in the area, all vehicles have been removed and snow removal continues. A reopening of Highway 11 is expected in the coming hours.
Gravenhurst mayor Heidi Lorenz declared a state of emergency in the town and officially activated the town’s virtual Emergency Operations Centre on Dec. 1 at 2:30 a.m.“The state of emergency is because of the substantial snowfall in the community and the prolonged closure of Highway 11.” The community was hit with around 140 centimetres of snow.
"This is the most snow I've seen in the 27 years that I've lived here, in such a short period of time," she explained.
Those who requested help had been pulled from the highway by Sunday morning as work continued into the afternoon to tow the last abandoned cars, said Brooklyn Harker, media relations coordinator for the OPP's Central Region.
If it is necessary that you travel in the area, the OPP encourages motorists to use MTO's Ontario 511 and Traveller Information Service for 24/7 and up-to-date access to road information on provincially maintained highways.
"If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1. Please call the OPP non-emergency number, 1-888-310-1122 for all other matters. Our Communications Centres have been flooded with calls, so please be patient and ensure the 9-1-1 lines are used only for life-threatening matters," says the release.
Meanwhile, Premier Ford said this morning, "We’re working closely with local authorities in Gravenhurst and across the Muskoka region to make sure they have everything they need to respond to yesterday’s snowstorm. Provincial resources are on hand and more are en route to help where needed. I’m relieved that there are no injuries or fatalities reported. Paramedics are checking in on the elderly and vulnerable people.
"As cleanup crews continue their work, the best thing people in the area can do is stay home and stay safe until power is restored and roads and highways have been safely opened again."
Hydro One reported 35,000 customers were without power by Sunday afternoon, down from more than 60,000 earlier in the day.
