City asks for help from residents to deal with melting snow

City warns about melting snow We're in for a warm spell and the city is offering advice to protect homes from flooding due to melting snow. Stephanie Wiebe reports.

The weather is continuing to warm up in the City of Calgary but after a wintry deluge, many people are concerned about the impact all those giant piles of snow will have on homes and streets.

Last month was the third snowiest February on record and the beginning of March saw a huge dump of snow as well.

City crews are already out working on clearing storm drains to make sure they can handle all the water coming off the melted snow.

“In some cases we will have frozen catch basins and we will have boilers out there or some flushing trucks that would really get material moving and flowing out there,” says Corey Colbran with the City of Calgary.

Colbran says that there are thousands of storm drains all over the city and it’s likely that they won’t be able to get to all of them, so the public is being asked to help out too.

“Based on sheer numbers, we know we won’t be able to get to them all, which is why we are asking the public to go out, especially before that warm weather comes over the next day or two before the weekend.”

It doesn’t take much effort, Colbran says.

“Clear at the end of the driveway, clear off those catch basins that are close by. Be a good neighbour, be a snow angel, try to clear those catch basins.”

However, residents should also be aware when a job is too big for them to handle too.

“If you are seeing pooling, wait 90 minutes. If there’s no change, call 311, don’t try and do it yourself,” Colbran says. “You could damage the infrastructure and it’s a public safety issue; we don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

Other tips to prevent flooding in your home from melting snow include:

For more information on the City of Calgary’s snow and ice clearing plan, visit the city’s website.

(With files from Stephanie Wiebe)