Heather Wright/The Independent

As East and North Lambton prepare for blizzard conditions later today, there is a warning from local fire officials there may be more than one reason the roads are slick.

Environment Canada has issued an Orange Blizzard warning for parts of Plympton-Wyoming, Warwick and Lambton Shores. Forecasters say up to 20 cm of snow may fall and be driven by high winds. A Cold warning is also in effect with the temperatures expected to drop and windchills hovering around -30 C.

On a social media post Friday before noon, Warwick Township fire officials warned the roads are slicker than normal because of a salt shortage.

It was a subject addressed Monday at St. Clair Township council, when Mayor Jeff Agar asked about rumours of a salt shortage in surrounding municipalities.

“We are most certainly in the same boat as many other municipalities,” said Engineer Andrew Malpass.

“Our salt comes from Compass Minerals in Goderich – which is the largest salt mine in the world – two hours away from us, and we’re not able to get salt the way we should.

“I’m on the phone begging for loads of salt and it’s been quite frustrating and most municipalities are in the same boat,” Malpass said.

He adds Compass is an American-owned company and “they were loading boats for basically export to the States and we’re getting what’s left over.”