City asks residents to stay off roads Monday, schools closed

OTTAWA – The City of Ottawa is encouraging residents to stay off the roads Monday, if possible, due to the tornado emergency.

Police are advising the roads continue to be hazardous due to the extensive number of traffic controls still not functioning. As of Sunday afternoon, 460 signals were not working normally.

The city is encouraging residents to work from home, if they can.

All Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and Ottawa Catholic School Board schools, program and administrative buildings including the extended day program and infant/toddler programs will be closed tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 24.

The decision was made in consultation with city emergency services due to extensive power outages and damage to several areas of the city. Ottawa Police have further advised that efforts should be made to reduce the number of people and traffic moving throughout the city due to areas that have been more significantly impacted. 

School closures mean there is no before and after school care, and no community use of schools/extracurricular use of schools either.

It is anticipated most schools, programs and buildings will resume regular operations on Tuesday, Sept. 25.  The board will provide updates on school openings by 4 p.m. daily on the OCDSB website and social media.