By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The most consistent, volatile winter weather we have seen in years led to most of us staying home all weekend and early into this week.
At the same time, it meant long hours for area municipal staff who were plowing streets and roadways, and who, at times, were not able to keep up.
A significant weather event falls under the province’s minimum-maintenance-standards legislation and is defined as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within a municipality. The declaration suspends the maintenance quality standards timelines required for municipalities to meet winter-maintenance objectives and remains in place until a municipality ends it.
“The township declared a significant weather event and snow event Thursday into Friday last week,” said Jeff Molenhuis, Wilmot Township’s director of infrastructure services.
“A snow event was declared on Saturday and extended to Sunday; in addition, we added another significant weather event Sunday into Monday. These events were coordinated activities with the area municipalities.”
Molenhuis said it was a busy long weekend for winter-control staff as they battled the elements.
“Drifting and blowing snow in the rural areas was a challenge and required continuous operational attention over the weekend.”
Municipalities take care of higher-volume roads before tackling lesser-travelled roads, and Molenhuis said his staff was out in full force, though not as many were available over the long weekend.
“We had nine operating routes active daily over the end of last week, the weekend and on Monday. A lower staff complement was available to us with the long weekend, and we had some challenges with equipment and vehicle breakdowns and downtime with the heavy workload. It certainly was an unprecedented volume and timeframe for the events experienced this past week.”
Oxford County declared its significant weather event Monday at 1:30 p.m. Frank Gross is the county’s manager of transportation and said it was a tough few days for county staff.
“The crews worked hard all weekend and have been working hard for most of the winter. Just based on the conditions in the rural areas with the high winds, it was a losing battle as they made a path through an area, it quickly drifted in behind them. It was a challenge for them to keep up in those conditions.”
Gross added the lower-tier municipalities, including East Zorra-Tavistock, also made declarations and were focusing on their busiest roads which meant they weren’t able to get to some of the lower-volume roads.
EZT declared its event on Monday afternoon.
“This means that we’re working hard to clear snow, but the severe conditions are making it difficult to maintain roads and sidewalks to the minimum standards set out by the (province),” said township CAO Karen DePrest.
“We may be required to plow high-volume roads multiple times before being able to address lower traffic routes, subdivisions and sidewalks. We’re asking residents to postpone any non-essential travel and to use extreme caution if you must leave your house.”
She added the safety of the travelling public throughout the township is a responsibility staff takes very seriously.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as staff complete their work. The public is asked not to park on township streets while plowing activities are being performed, and to refrain from depositing snow on municipal roadways or sidewalks.”
Perth County was the hardest hit of any area municipality as it first declared an event on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
“We are aware of a large weather system that will move through the Perth County region beginning this afternoon. This weather system is anticipated to bring heavy accumulation in a short period of time with gusty winds,” said John McClelland, executive director of public works.
“All non-essential travel throughout the region is strongly discouraged. If citizens must travel, leave plenty of additional time and give snow plows extra space and distance to operate.”
Perth County’s event continued through Wednesday morning, Feb. 19, after several roads were closed – some due to accidents and others as a result of poor visibility.
The good news is Environment Canada is not forecasting any major snow events anytime soon.
Comments