Jane Sutton had just stocked up her freezer in anticipation of Easter weekend and an upcoming visit from family members.

The extended power outage changed her plans, as the family was in the dark for most of four days and the perishable food didn't hold up well.

"It's gone. Who would take the chance?" the Innisfil resident asked. "I guess I'm starting over."

Sutton said she weathered the storm at a friend's house in Barrie where the hydro was off for just two hours.

In response to extensive tree damage and spoiled food, the County of Simcoe has scheduled special collections in the hardest hit areas including Essa Township, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio and Bradford-West Gwillimbury.

Sincoe a special brush collection starting on Monday April 4 may not coincide with regular waste collection days, residents are being directed to place brush curbside by Monday for service "as soon as possible."

Large branches or trees will not be collected. 

Brush must be cut into manageable lengths (maximum 2-metres long and individual branches not to exceed 12-centimetres in diameter).

Brush should be bundled and tied in manageable packages (maximum 20 kgs. per bundle). Larger pieces may be cut into firewood and left out for re-use as firewood by others.Residents may also self-haul brush to County waste management facilities at no charge. 

Spoiled foods as a result of extended power outages may be placed out for collection on the regular collection day in a green bin. 

Excessive quantities can be placed in compostable bags and in alternate containers clearly marked and placed beside the green bin, so that collectors can see that it is intended to be collected with the organics.

All packaging must be removed from food waste in order for it to be collected.

Also, waste collection services in Clearview, Springwater, Adjala-Tosorontio and a portion of Wasaga Beach were impacted by the ice storm on Friday, March 25.

Areas missed due to road conditions, downed trees and power lines will have double the garbage limit collected on their next scheduled collection day, Friday April 1.