Stay off roads as winter storm hits Ottawa, officials urge

Emergency preparedness experts say to stay home if possible as Ottawa residents face a second severe snowfall this week.

Environment Canada has issued winter storm warnings for much of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. The weather service is predicting another 25 to 40 centimetres of snowfall.

It's set to begin Saturday afternoon and is expected to continue into Sunday evening.

The heaviest snow is expected Sunday, with peak snowfall rates of 3 to 6 cm per hour. The most snow could fall over the Algonquin Highlands.

The storm is expected to bring wind speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour, causing poor visibility and blowing snow. The national weather agency is advising people to avoid travel if possible, and to continue monitoring alerts and forecasts as the storm approaches.

The storm is being brought to the region by a strong low pressure system moving in from upstate New York, according to Environment Canada.

While the weekend's storm may not break any records, experts say it is a good idea to be prepared.

Snow clearing to take longer

The city declared a "significant weather event" Wednesday, and that remains in effect. The declaration signals to city staff and residents that snow clearing may take longer than usual.

A winter parking ban has been called for 10 a.m. Sunday until further notice. Drivers who regularly park on the street can park in one of several city lots designated for use during a parking ban.

Bryden Denyes, area manager of special operations with the city, said the city still hasn't removed all the snow from the previous snowfall, so it will take time to clear.

"It's going to be pretty much the exact same response we had for the previous storm," he said. "The one big difference is once this upcoming storm ends, we will be looking at switching right into snow removal operations [in addition to snow clearing] because we know we're going to have a lot of very narrow streets and sidewalk issues after this storm."

Stay off roads

Residents should avoid all non-essential travel, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

"The less traffic on the road, the easier it is for the plows to do their jobs," said OPP Const. Michael Fathi. "We don't want to see people getting stuck on the side of the road. It can end in catastrophe sometimes."

Even with the proper preparations, experts say it's best to stay home.

"If you have a vehicle with snow tires or four wheel drive, don't think that now you're Indiana Jones and you can just go out in any conditions," said David Arama, owner and director of WSC Survival School, Inc.

If you must leave the house, Fathi said to ensure you have a full tank of gas and are carrying road salt to add friction in case you do get stuck. Arama suggested adding lock de-icer, traction plates, a sturdy emergency shovel, and warm sleeping bags to your car before heading out.

Fathi said if you do need to travel and end up stuck on a highway, you should remain in the car and call 911 for help.

If you're stuck on a residential street with no oncoming traffic, you can ask a neighbour for help shovelling your car out. Rocking the car backwards and forwards can help a car gain momentum, but Fathi warned to avoid spinning your tires, which can melt the snow and cause a vehicle to lose traction.

If you lose power

Arama recommends having a few non-perishable foods like granola bars ready, or a propane tank in a barbecue so you can cook if you lose power.

And if you're trying to keep warm, it's important to be aware of typical safety concerns as well.

"During a power outage, a lot of people burn candles or try to keep the stove running to warm up the place," he said, adding it's crucial to ensure any battery-powered smoke alarms are up to date.

Arama is a prepper — he has a stash of extra supplies and a "bug out" bag so he can leave quickly in a disaster scenario. While not everyone will prepare that much, he said it is a good idea to think about what you'd do if the weather gets bad this weekend.

"There might be a point where it is not safe to go out, even the plows have stopped for a while," Arama said. "That's the time to stay put. Watch a hockey game, put on some music, take it easy, don't risk your life and get out there."