Barrie’s ice storm didn’t just glaze the city in a glistening sheen of ice—it froze daily life in its tracks, leaving residents grappling with power outages, fallen branches, and disrupted routines.
This past weekend, Barrie residents faced one of the harshest ice storms in recent memory, a storm so fierce it left entire neighbourhoods without power for over 40 hours. Residents like Ginny McLeod of Shirley Avenue woke up to a harsh reality: broken branches littering her driveway, power lines ripped from her home, and the biting cold of a night without heat. With an electrician scheduled to assess her home, McLeod relied on the goodwill of her neighbour, who provided power cords to keep her fridge and freezer running. “You just kind of take it easy, one day at a time and figure it out,” she said with a resilient shrug.
Across the city, similar stories unfolded. On Castle Drive, Mike Carlin meticulously stacked fallen branches while trying to preserve the contents of his freezer. “We haven’t opened the freezer,” Carlin noted, his camping gear ensuring he could still enjoy a hot cup of coffee. The storm’s chaos extended beyond inconveniences; for many, it was a test of patience and resourcefulness. Megan Foley, who endured a 40-hour power outage in the north end, resorted to finding warmth and internet at a local coffee shop. “The loss of power has been frustrating, but I understand the crews are working hard,” she said, expressing gratitude for the tireless efforts of utility workers.
The storm’s toll extended beyond homes. Alectra utility crews worked 16-hour shifts to repair downed power lines, with team members themselves often without power at home. As one worker explained, “The last 10 per cent is the hardest… That’s the worst stuff.” Despite facing countless questions from frustrated residents, these crews were met with understanding and appreciation for their dedication during a challenging time.
The storm also brought its share of dangers. Barrie’s fire department reported no injuries, but the volume of calls regarding downed power lines and traffic lights out of service underscored how hazardous the conditions had become. Police reminded drivers to treat non-functioning intersections as four-way stops, a critical safety measure during such events.
Still, amidst the chaos, the community’s enduring spirit shone through. Whether it was neighbours sharing power, residents helping clear debris, or the collective patience shown toward utility crews, the ice storm revealed Barrie’s resilience. As one resident put it, “We’ll just go at it one stick at a time.” It’s a phrase that perfectly captures the grit and determination of a city picking up the pieces.
As life slowly returns to normal, the storm serves as a reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the strength of human connection in overcoming its trials.
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‘One stick at a time’: Barrie residents pick up the pieces after ice storm
