Windsor prepares for snow

Forecasts predicting between 20 and 30 cm of snow beginning around 8 p.m. Tuesday and continuing until just after noon on Wednesday have many people in Windsor and the surrounding area taking action to prepare for the storm.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson said some areas may experience snow accumulation that hasn't been seen in a couple of years.

"And it's all being complicated as well by some gusty winds from the northeast that's going to cause extensive blowing and drifting and visibility restrictions for anybody that has to be out there driving overnight (Tuesday) and through the day on Wednesday," said Coulson.

Every city truck available, as well as private graders and loaders, will be on the job Tuesday night and into Wednesday to ensure roads are cleared as quickly as possible. Trucks were plugged in and salters loaded with salt and brine solution at the city's central yard on Monday.

Mike Palanacki, with the city, said the priority will be the main roads. Side streets will only be plowed after the snow stops, with exceptions made for fire and ambulance calls.

"We're working with emergency services," he said. "If there's an emergency call for medical help, we'll be dispatching a snow plow with the ambulance to local residential streets where the call comes from. So people do not need to fear about having access to these emergency services.

The city is asking people not leave their cars parked on the streets.

A 311 representative of the City of Windsor said it is the city's policy in the event of a snow emergency to open up parking lots to the public free of charge, to keep the streets clear for snow removal crews. Normally, that would mean metered parking would be free but parking garages would not.

Mayor Eddie Francis has called an emergency meeting of council to discuss snowstorm preparations, and decide whether or not to allow for the free parking..

The municipality of Chatham-Kent has already declared a snow emergency, placing a 72-hour ban on parking on municipal streets. The ban will be in effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday until 7 p.m. Friday.

"We are asking motorists to make every effort to move their vehicles off the streets so that the ploughs can clear the roads more effectively," said Leo Denys, general manager of infrastructure and engineering for Chatham-Kent. "We recognize that this is an inconvenience, but there are no other options. Emergency vehicles, citizens and local businesses all depend on these streets being cleared as quickly as possible."

Ontario Provincial Police are urging drivers to exercise caution on the roads in the next few days. OPP suggested people stay home, but if they have to travel, they urged people to ensure their vehicles are in proper working order and that they keep a survival kit and cell phone with them.

If highways are closed due to severe conditions, drivers are reminded that it is both illegal and extremely dangerous to drive on these roadways. OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor started issuing weather warnings on Monday in advance of the storm.

"The biggest mistake people make in these conditions is venturing out when there are white-out conditions," he said. "When the police and the media are saying that it's white-out conditions and there's zero visibility, we're not kidding," said Rektor.

Rector didn't want a repeat of what happened in mid-December when almost 240 people were stranded on the 402 Highway in Lambton County.

"The 400-series highways, there's a lot of areas that are very desolate," he said. "When you have white-out conditions out there, it's like a different world. Things that used to look normal and everyday to you all of a sudden become very foreign. So caution needs to be exercised during winter storms," he said.

Three out of six Air Canada Jazz flights scheduled to arrive from Toronto on Wednesday have been cancelled, but on Tuesday afternoon the Windsor Airport's web site still listed all six departing flights to Toronto as "on schedule".

However, Al Bradshaw, who works for the airport, said the departures will not be possible if those planes don't come into Windsor. Bradshaw said any cancellations are decided by the air carrier.

Mike Conway of the Detroit Metro airport said some airlines have done a lot of pre-cancelling, but the nature of the storm will determine any further cancellations.

On Tuesday, Via Rail expected the storm to bring an increase in passengers and has added extra capacity, but is advising travellers to book their tickets as early as possible.

Hydro One spokesperson Danielle Gauvin said the company is well-prepared for the storm and any possible power outages. She said its control centre in Barrie provides real-time updates on weather and wind patterns across North America.

The utility suggested homeowners keep a three-day supply of food and water on hand, as well as flashlights and a battery-operated radio.

Essex County Council, normally scheduled for the first and third Wednesday of each month, has cancelled its regular meeting Wednesday at 4 p.m. It will meet again on February 16 at 4 p.m. at the Holy Name of Jesus Church Hall in Essex.