City won't finish ice storm clean up until May

Three months later, city crews are still working six days a week to clean up debris from the December ice storm.

The storm, which hit just before Christmas, was so severe that workers will be cleaning up brush until the end of May, the city says.

Milder temperatures have melted the snow and ice, which means crews can clean up roadside brush that’s been buried deep in the snow.

So far, the city has dealt with:

• 13,698 tree damage calls.
• 9,769 work orders.
• 800 oversized branch-related work orders.
• About $19 million in ice storm clean-up costs. It has applied to the province for financial help.

Crews are answering calls on a priority basis, and doing those affecting health and safety first, the city said in a release Tuesday.

“We want to thank citizens for all their patience and understanding,” said Mike McNamara, manager of forestry and horticulture.

“As the snow and ice melts, more debris is being revealed, and we understand that citizens are anxious to have their yards looking tidy. We are retaining as many contractors as possible to assist with our cleanup efforts.”

If you have brush to dispose of:

Cut the brush into four-foot lengths and put it by the curb as part of normal waste collection services. If you have larger branches, crews with chainsaws and chippers will collect it at a later date. May 20 is the deadline to put out oversized and unbundled brush.

If you have tree damage, branches or limbs you haven't reported yet:

Call 905-546-CITY or email askcity@hamilton.ca.

If you are a low-income senior or person with a disability:

You may be eligible for help with yard clean up through the city’s Helping Hands program. For more information, visit hamilton.ca/helpinghands or call 905-546-3057.