Winter doling out 'unprecedented' challenges

All P.E.I. roads should be cleared by Monday in time for school to resume following the March break, says the province's Transportation Department.

The main and secondary roads will be open by Saturday, said Transportation Minister Alan McIsaac at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The province is buying a new snowblower, which is arriving Thursday, says McIsaac.

P.E.I. is also borrowing four large snowblowers from New Brunswick. They will be on the Island Thursday night or Friday morning and will stay until the latest storm mess is cleared.

Farmers in rural areas have also been contracted to help with clearing roads, says the province.

"Unfortunately, yesterday, we lost a lot of the gains we had made since the last storm," said McIsaac.

"It just seems to be continuously happening to us."

Government has received a lot of complaints and questions from Islanders about road clearing and health care in the wake of recent storms.

"This issue that we've been facing over the last few weeks is unprecedented in recent memory in respect to the record levels of snowfall and the challenges that has presented," said Health Minister Doug Currie.

McIsaac and Currie thanked the public for its patience and staff for their hard work. They also acknowledged the dedication of the RCMP and Island EMS.

'Disheartening' for plow operators

"A nightmare is the only way I can describe it," said plow operator Keith Campbell. "Just so much heavy drifting."

Jimmy Rhynes, Queens County operations supervisor, says the situation is "disheartening" for plow operators.

"They had everything all opened up and looking good and we got hit with this other blast and the wind in the past couple of days has been unbelievable and even last night it was one of the dirtiest nights the plow operators have had to deal with all winter."

Meanwhile, some residents on snow-covered roads haven't seen a plow in days.

Ben Bain was forced to strap on the skis to get to work Thursday because Crooked Creek Road, where he lives, wasn't plowed.

'I'm not quite going shack-whacky yet. I haven't started putting little tinfoil hats on the cats or knitting sweater vests for the birds, but, I'll tell you, the house is feeling pretty small.- Maureen Pendergast

"No plows have currently been on the road. A few tractors have cleared out a few of the residents on the road, but for the most part it's impassible," said Bain.

Kenny Greenan hasn't seen a plow at Kentyre Road in North Winsloe for two days.

"It looks a lot like my driveway: plugged up," said Greenan. "The Kintyre Road has only been open a few hours all week."

Maureen Pendergast in Darnley has been stuck in her house for five days.

"I'm not quite going shack-whacky yet. I haven't started putting little tinfoil hats on the cats or knitting sweater vests for the birds, but, I'll tell you, the house is feeling pretty small," said Pendergast.

Mail delivery continues

Canada Post officials say the stormy weather this winter has been challenging for mail delivery, but carriers on P.E.I. have been able to get the mail to boxes every day, although not always at the normal time.

"It has been challenging, but we've been working really hard at it. Maybe what people have seen is that the mail has been certainly delivered, but at different times during the day," said Phil Legault, Canada Post's media relations manager.

"We'll give it a try in the morning with one shift and if it's not possible, then we'll certainly try it later in the day, keeping mindful that the safety of our employees is also extremely important.

Legault reminds homeowners to try to clear a path for mail carriers.

Legault also says contractors are making every effort to ensure community mailboxes are accessible.