Efforts to clear Monday’s record-setting blizzard in Ottawa will stretch into mid-week as city crews attempt to make a dent in the still-falling snow.
The snow storm, which began overnight in Ottawa and the surrounding areas, picked up steam around 7 a.m. It dumped five to 12 cm of snow per hour during its peak.
Some 45 cm of snow had fallen at the Ottawa International Airport as of 2 p.m., Monday is the city’s snowiest day since February 2016 and marks the most snow to fall on Jan. 17 since record-keeping began in 1873, according to historian and forecaster Rolf Campbell, who runs a local weather records account on Twitter.
Environment Canada has forecasted that some local areas could get as much as 50 cm by evening.
The weather agency had placed Ottawa and the surrounding area under a blizzard warning at 9:30 a.m., though that was downgraded to a winter storm warning at 1:20 p.m.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney, the chair of Ottawa’s transportation committee, told media gathered for an update on city snow-clearing operations at noon that crews are out in “full force” to plow major arteries, sidewalks and cycling paths, but it will take “a couple of days” to clear the historic dumping of snow.
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“This morning it really walloped us pretty good,” he said.
Quentin Levesque, Ottawa’s director of roads and parking services, told media that crews are expected to start clearing residential streets, as the snow is expected to taper off in the evening.
An on-street parking ban is in effect from 7 p.m. on Monday until 7 p.m. on Tuesday as crews work overnight and into the coming day on side streets.
Ottawa’s snow-clearing fleet has not been diminished by the spread of COVID-19 locally, Levesque told reporters, adding that all operators working with the city are also fully vaccinated in accordance with municipal policies.
He noted, however, that the heavy one-time dumping of snow will “create a pressure” on the city’s annual snow-clearing budget.
”Costs will be significant for the event,” Levesque said.
The city has also asked residents to keep fire hydrants clear of build up for emergency access and to clear catch basins if possible.
The hazardous conditions on Ottawa roads kept emergency services busy on Monday, with the Ottawa Police Service reporting 38 collisions on local roads since 5 a.m.
OPP said in a tweet Monday shortly after 9 a.m. that all drivers should avoid driving on highways 416 and 417 in Ottawa due because there is “zero visibility.” The provincial force said drivers might not get towed from the ditch if their vehicle is in an unsafe position for operators.
OPP also said a portion of Highway 7, between the 417 and Sharbot Lake, was closed as plows cannot keep up with the extensive snowfall.
Ottawa paramedics noted that one eagle-eye youngster, an eight-year-old named Clayton, spotted a man covered in snow and flagged his parents to call 911.
Students in Ottawa remain in remote learning Monday as all local boards declared it a snow day, forgoing the planned return to schools with classes continuing online.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board noted that its website was down Monday morning but virtual learning was still accessible through a direct link to the portal.
OC Transpo warned Monday that there would likely be slowdowns on some transit routes due to the snow, but as of 9 a.m., there had been no disruptions to service on the Confederation Line light-rail system.
Ottawa Public Health pre-emptively closed COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Monday. Those with appointments were to be contacted directly about rescheduling.
Some health units, such as Renfrew County, are keeping clinics open on Monday with some walk-in availability.
Also closed Monday are the North Grenville COVID-19 assessment centre in Kemptville and the McNabb testing site in Ottawa. Other testing centres in Ottawa will close early, as follows:
- Ray Friel will close at 11:30 a.m.
- Moodie will close at 1 p.m.
- The Brewer Park assessment centres for both kids and adults will close at 3 p.m.
Those with pre-booked appointments have been contacted to reschedule, according to Ottawa’s COVID-19 testing taskforce.
Any scheduled garbage and recycling pickups for Monday are now set for Tuesday, with all other collection dates postponed by one day for the rest of the week.
All Ottawa Public Library branches are closed on Monday.
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