Ottawa digs out after major snowstorm, with another on the way

Residents and the city are clearing away 32 cm of snow, but another major storm is approaching. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Ottawa residents and city crews are working to clear streets and sidewalks after a heavy snowfall blanketed the capital, with another storm expected this weekend.

More than 30 centimetres of snow fell across the region, with some areas seeing even more. The storm brought strong winds and reduced visibility, making travel hazardous. Snowplows and salting crews worked through the night to clear major routes, but many side streets and sidewalks remained covered well into the following day, leaving residents to tackle the cleanup themselves.

“I would say the city did an excellent job of clearing the roads,” said Martha Mackay, whose Barrhaven Street remains to have its sidewalk plowed. “I shovelled a path to the street in the meantime.”

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While main roads have been mostly cleared, along with access to transit stops and community mailboxes, but some residential streets remain narrow due to lingering snowbanks. The city’s on-street parking ban has led to $300,000 in fines as officials work to keep roads accessible.

Despite the cleanup efforts, many residents are taking the heavy snowfall in stride.

“We choose to live sort of in a downtown area and that comes with smaller areas to be in,” said Meredith Newberry, who’s street has significantly narrowed due to large snowbanks. “And so, If we are prepared to be calm, prepared to be kind, prepared to do some shoveling, and just give yourself extra time to do all of these things, you can simply enjoy the sun and just clean up.”

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Bryden Denyes, area roads manager with the city of Ottawa, says crews remain in the midst of cleanup, which will continue over the following days, and nights.

“We’re in the process of going through residential streets again today and that’s why the parking ban is on from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” he said. “Our main focus right now is on trying to open sidewalks up in preparation for the storm coming on Saturday night into Sunday. The challenge we’re having is just the extreme amount of snow. We’ve had to put snowblower on our sidewalk machines which slows us down. This weekend, (there) will be another significant event”

“We’re out trying to build storage capacity where we can for this storm, but we’re just going through cleanup and preparations for the next one,” said Bryden, a city worker.

Environment Canada predicts an additional 20 to 30 cm of snowfall this weekend, with winds expected to reach up to 50 km/h. The incoming storm could lead to further disruptions in transit and road conditions.

Masood Yarmand, of Yarmand outdoor power equipment, which provides snowblower sales as well as parts and service, says his business is gearing up to help residents tackle the next round of snow.

“We always see the winters are not predictable and we’re seeing a lot of folks getting ready,” said Yarmand. “We are normally closed on the weekends but given what’s happening and in such a short period of time, we’re going to be open Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to support anybody with parts, service or equipment that they need to get through the next storm.”

Another snowstorm is expected to hit the region this weekend, bringing more challenges for residents and city crews. Environment Canada says a winter storm watch is in effect for Ottawa, as the capital braces for another storm beginning Sunday morning. It is expected to ease by early Monday morning.

“Another significant winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snowfall and blowing snow to the area Sunday. There remains some uncertainty as to which areas will receive the heaviest snowfall amounts,” said Environment Canada.

“People are advised to monitor future forecasts. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Avoid travel if possible.”