Cleanup efforts underway after winter storm dropped heavy snow on Ottawa
37 collisions on OPP-monitored roads since Sunday morning, police say
A winter storm that started overnight Saturday and stretched through Sunday evening left Ottawa blanketed in heavy snow.
The city remained under a winter storm warning throughout the day Sunday, with more than 30 centimetres of snow accumulating by the evening, and another 5 centimetres expected to accumulate overnight, Environment Canada said in an updated warning.
As of Sunday afternoon, snow was 34 centimetres deep at the Ottawa airport and 29 centimetres deep at the Gatineau airport.
Rapidly accumulating snow created hazardous travel conditions, with visibility reduced to near zero at times due to heavy and blowing snow.
The storm brought wind speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour. Environment Canada urged residents to delay non-essential travel until conditions improve.
Snow crews battle storm
Bryden Denyes, area manager of special operations with the city, said plows were out since the storm began, focusing on major roads first. He said intense winds blowing snow made the cleanup that much more difficult, particularly in rural areas.
"This will be a scenario where when we plow a road or a sidewalk very soon after, it may not look like we plowed anything. That's just because of how fast the snow is coming down in the wind, and then because of the accumulation totals for this storm being quite high," Denyes said.
An Ontario Provincial Police spokesperson said Sunday afternoon that officers had responded to 37 collisions on OPP-monitored roads in Ottawa since 6 a.m., though no injuries were reported.
The Ottawa Police Service said Sunday afternoon it responded to 19 collisions since 8 p.m. Saturday.
Reports of snow covering furnace vents
In a post on X late Sunday, Ottawa Fire Services reminded residents to check their carbon monoxide alarms.
The service said it responded to several calls for carbon monoxide inside the home after snow covered hot water and furnace vents, keeping the odourless and deadly gas inside.
‼️‼️‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ottawa</a>‼️‼️‼️<br><br>We have responded to numerous calls today for Carbon Monoxide inside the home due to the snow covering the hot water/furnace vents outside.<br><br>Please be vigilant and take the time to go outside to check & please test your carbon monoxide alarms. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OttNews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OttNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZpVswMCXVp">pic.twitter.com/ZpVswMCXVp</a>
—@OttFireAirport and transit disruptions
Crews at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport were "out in full force dealing with the snow and keeping the runways clear and safe," according to an emailed statement from an airport spokesperson.
FlightAware reported 36 delayed flights at the airport and 53 cancellations Sunday afternoon.
OC Transpo ran its regular Sunday service, but delays are expected due to the storm's impact on the roads, the transit agency said in a memo to city council.
"Buses are operating as intended, but like everyone on the road, delays are expected due to poor weather conditions. The Severe Storm Schedule for buses will not be implemented as it is only used on weekdays," the memo read.
The city's on-street parking ban, effective from 10 a.m. Sunday, is in place until 7 a.m. Monday.
The city began plowing residential streets at 10 a.m. Sunday but expects multiple passes will be needed due to the fast accumulation, Denyes said.
"We'll just keep cycling through the storm in our response until it ends," he said. "And then we're going to get into our cleanup of the storm, which will include moving into snow removal operations."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
