Barrie breaks record for longest continuous weather event in city history

The City of Barrie has had a significant weather event in place for one month, the longest on record.

Barrie is still digging out and making history while it does.

Jan. 28 marks one full month since the city declared a Significant Weather Event, officials say, the longest continuous stretch Barrie has ever been under.

Since Nov. 1, 300 centimetres of snow have buried streets and sidewalks in Barrie, that’s nine and a half feet.

In a Wednesday press release, the city says crews continue to work in cold conditions to claw the city back to normal.

Snow lifts are running overnight on major roads and on arterial and collector roads in Barrie, says officials, with a focus on narrow curb lanes and on-street cycling lanes.

Crews are also cutting down massive snowbanks that are blocking visibility at intersections, a key reason the weather event can’t yet be lifted, says the city.

All of this is happening while communities across Ontario face a road salt shortage. “When temperatures drop to minus 10 degrees, salt does not work, whether put down by city vehicles or the salt you might use on your walkway,” says the city.

That’s why crews and residents at home are being asked to rely on sand instead, which actually works in deep cold by improving traction.