In advance of a major spring ice storm forecast for the weekend, both the City and County of Peterborough have declared a significant weather event.
Municipalities can declare a significant weather event under a regulation of the Municipal Act, which allows them to deem municipal roadways as being in a “state of repair” with respect to snow and ice accumulation. The declaration is not a notice of a reduced level of service, but notifies residents that it may take longer than usual to clear the roads.
Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning across the Kawarthas region, beginning Friday evening (March 28) and continuing until late Sunday.
In the southern part of Peterborough County, including the city, the ice storm is expected to result in ice accumulation of 10 to 20 mm, with amounts in excess of 25 mm possible. The northern part of the county will see less ice accumulation — 5 to 15 mm, with amounts in excess of 15 mm possible — but could also see snow and ice pellet accumulations of 5 to 15 cm.
“Winter abrasives and de-icers are ready to go, and public works crews are ready to deploy the city’s 18 plow trucks, 11 sidewalk plows, two graders, seven loaders and backhoes to help keep roads, sidewalks and trails clear,” reads a media release issued by the City of Peterborough on Friday morning.
“Crews will be working throughout the weekend to keep roads clear; however, ice accumulation may still occur on roads, sidewalks and parking lots, depending on the severity of the storm.”
Along with creating icy and slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks, the ice build-up may cause tree branches to break and result in widespread power outages.
“Customers in northeast, central and eastern Ontario are encouraged to prepare for power outages,” reads a statement on Hydro One’s website. “Our crews are geared up and ready to respond.”
“If outages occur, an estimated time of restoration will be determined for each incident once damage has been assessed. Outages can be reported by texting 92887 (WATTS), through the company’s outage map and app, or by calling 1-800-434-1235. Outage tools are updated every 10 minutes as updates come in from the crews on the ground.”
For more information and to access Hydro One’s outage tools, visit www.hydroone.com/outages.
