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All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
As of 8:15 a.m., Maritime Electric’s outage map was showing more than 5,500 customers without power, mostly in Stratford and surrounding areas. At one point, the number of affected customers had reached nearly 22,200.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Kings County, advising that strong northwesterly winds up to 90 km/h may cause damage. Winds are expected to ease Wednesday afternoon.
A snow squall watch is also in effect in that part of the Island. The agency says flurries may develop into snow squalls as cold northwesterly winds blow over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, potentially producing local snowfall of five centimetres or more.
CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin said light flurries, combined with strong winds, drifting snow and blowing snow, will reduce visibility across the Island.
“Good idea to stay home until the sun comes up and you can see what’s going on, because there’s going to be those areas… around P.E.I. where there’s open fields and the winds come through, how the snow gets pushed back onto the road, and of course, what it does reduces the visibilities as well,” Simpkin said.
“So that’s going to go on throughout the morning until those winds start to subside.”
Some health services across P.E.I. delayed opening due to the weather. Islanders are encouraged to visit the Health P.E.I. website for the latest updates.
The Confederation Bridge is currently restricted to vehicles towing trailers, motorcycles, high-sided vehicles including trucks, tractor trailers, recreational vehicles and buses. As of 8:15 a.m., the bridge was recording wind speeds of about 82 km/h, with gusts reaching 102 km/h.
Island Montessori Academy’s Stratford and Cornwall campuses will remain closed for the day.
All Northumberland ferry crossings between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., are cancelled for Friday.