A state of emergency was declared and the Canadian armed forces were summoned on Tuesday after a heavy storm left hundreds of motorists stranded in their cars on a major Ontario highway for a second day.

More than the amount of snowfall, it was a nearly complete lack of visibility because of high winds that initially left the car and truck drivers stuck on Highway 402 near Sarnia, Ontario. The highway, which is the main link between Toronto and Chicago, has been closed since Monday, following several collisions that blocked the road. Motorists have also been barred from entering Canada from the United States at Sarnia.

The Ontario Provincial Police estimated that about 360 vehicles were still stuck on the highway on Tuesday morning. Reports in the Canadian news media suggested that some of the stranded travelers were from the United States, particularly nearby Michigan.

Drivers who encountered the storm near interchanges were able to seek shelter at doughnut shops and gas stations. But most of the highway runs through farmland, leaving drivers and their passengers with only their vehicles for shelter.

The lack of visibility that brought drivers to a halt also thwarted most rescue attempts. Police, often traveling by snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, could do little more than encourage motorists in small groups to consolidate in a single vehicle for greater warmth.

A Canadian Forces Hercules rescue plane, which is searching for vehicles, and two helicopters have been sent to the area.

Peter MacKay, the defense minister, said that the strong winds were limiting the use of the rescue helicopters, although some people were airlifted to a fairground on Tuesday.

While the snow stopped on Tuesday, winds remain high and visibility poor. Snowplows were slowly clearing the highway.

Several motorists reached by cell phone in their cars said the experience was more tedious than terrifying, particularly after 24 hours.

(Source: NY Times)