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Montreal short on workers during rush to clear roads before another freeze

Click to play video: 'Wet winter weather wreaks havoc on Montreal roads'
Wet winter weather wreaks havoc on Montreal roads
WATCH: Since Sunday, nearly 40 centimeters of snow has fallen on Montreal. On Wednesday night, the temperature began to rise and the snow turned change to rain, causing streets and roadways to flood. As Global's Gloria Henriquez explains, now the city is in a race against the clock to clean up the mess before the temperature drops once more – Jan 24, 2019

The City of Montreal is shortstaffed as workers race against the clock to clear large amounts of slush and water before temperatures plummet over night once again.

Weather conditions forced widespread school closures, which in turn affected blue collar workers.

READ MORE: Icy conditions force widespread Montreal-area school closures

“In our borough, many workers didn’t come to work this morning,” explained Sud-Ouest borough mayor Benoit Dorais.

The rapidly changing weather conditions are complicating the city’s job of clearing streets.

The city wasn’t done removing the remnants of the weekend storm when another blast of winter weather struck on Wednesday night. The temperature began to rise and the snow turned change to rain, causing streets and roadways to flood.

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“What makes it complicated for the city at this point is having to deal with two different operations,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told reporters.

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Plante explained the city had to spread its resources between snow loading and clearing sidewalks and streets before the water freezes over.

Temperatures are expected to hit a low of -11 C Friday morning.

The city says it believes there are enough resources to do a big part of the job, but not all of it.

WATCH BELOW: Winter weather wreaks havoc on Montreal streets

Click to play video: 'Winter weather wreaks havoc on Montreal streets'
Winter weather wreaks havoc on Montreal streets

Work crews are focusing on the city’s main roads and sidewalks.

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The city is asking Montrealers to be patient and careful on the roads.

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