The City of Windsor has said its crews are ready to handle the significant snowfall headed to the region this week.
Public works department crews and contractors have been working to get snow plows and salt trucks prepared to handle the snowfall. The Environment Canada forecast calls for the storm to begin as rain early Wednesday morning. That's when crews will get to work.
"City of Windsor Public Works and contractors will be responding immediately to this transition period by applying de-icing materials to the major thoroughfares," according to a release from the City Tuesday evening. "Plowing begins once the snowfall accumulation reaches five centimetres."
Residents are being asked for patience, as main arteries will be cleared before secondary arteries and residential streets. Streets in residential zones will be plowed only after at least ten centimetres of snow has fallen, and after the main roads have been cleared. Staffing issues related to employees isolating due to COVID-19 may also be a factor.
People are being asked to remove their vehicles from residential streets if possible. This helps the plows and salt trucks complete their work faster.
Drivers are urged not to follow plows or salt trucks too closely. Doing so may result in a collision if the plow must stop suddenly, or debris from the trucks may damage vehicles.
Property owners are required to shovel snow from their sidewalks as often as possible. Windsor bylaws and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act require property owners to clear sidewalks within 12 hours of a snowfall. It is against the law to shovel snow from your sidewalk back onto the street, as this may cause hazards for drivers.
If you're looking to give back to the community, or if you're a secondary school student looking for volunteer hours, the City's Snow Angels program is looking for volunteers to shovel sidewalks. Information on how to volunteer can be found on the City's official website.
