Washouts and flooding closes many area roads (7:20 a.m. update)

Flooding and washouts reported

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Due to the severe thunderstorms earlier this morning, the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police reported several road closures due to flooding and washouts.

A further washout has been reported on Goulais Mission Road at the 2400 block. 

OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision in this area early this morning where a vehicle was swept away down a sinkhole in the roadway.

The two occupants managed to get out of the vehicle and climb up an embankment and were rescued by emergency personnel.

Both occupants received non-life threatening injuries.

The following roads have been re-opened:

• Bellevue Valley Road has now been re-opened north of Sault Ste. Marie.
• Highway 17 Eastbound and Westbound are now open with no diversion through Highway 17B at the East City limits.

Further updates will be provided.

Road closures North of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario: 

• Highway 552 east is closed due to a washout.
• Highway 556 is closed due to several road washouts.
• Belleview Valley Road is closed due to a road washout.
• Kelly Creek Road in Goulais River is closed due to a road washout.
• Thielman Road in Goulais River is closed due to a road washout.
• Road closures East of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario:
• Bar River Road in Bar River is closed due to washout.
• Cemetery Road is closed due to a road washout.
• Highway 638 at Gordon Lake Road is closed due to a washout.
• Highway 638 at McCarrel Lake Road is closed due to a washout.
• Pioneer Road (between Watson’s Road and Highway 638) is closed. 
• Highway 17 West is closed at Hwy. 638 due to flooding.
• Highway 17 West is diverted to 17B at Bar River Road.
• Highway 17 Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto Highway 17B at the East City Limits.

There are currently several emergency services and road crews on scene at each location dealing with the road conditions.

It is anticipated that more washouts will be reported in the coming hours.

More details will follow.

Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police advise of the following Road Advisory:

Location:  Hwy 552 - 4 kms from Hwy 556  

Brief Description of Event:  Closed due to the wash outs

Detour (if available):  N/A

Estimated duration of Road Advisory: N/A

O.P.P. Media Contact:  Sault Ste Marie Detachment

The O.P.P. will distribute details and updates of the road advisory as information becomes available.

Please do not call O.P.P. Provincial Communication Centres for road advisory updates or road condition information.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca or call 511 for Traveller's Information such as Winter Road Conditions, Construction Reports, Road Closures, Traffic Reports, Traffic Cameras and Interactive Mapping.

Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police advise of the following Road Advisory:

Location:  Hwy 556 - 2kms East of Hwy 17 

Brief Description of Event:  Closed due to a major mud slide

Detour (if available): N/A

Estimated duration of Road Advisory: N/A

O.P.P. Media Contact:  Sault Ste Marie Detachment

The O.P.P. will distribute details and updates of the road advisory as information becomes available.

Please do not call O.P.P. Provincial Communication Centres for road advisory updates or road condition information.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca or call 511 for Traveller's Information such as Winter Road Conditions, Construction Reports, Road Closures, Traffic Reports, Traffic Cameras and Interactive Mapping.