Mega-banks: Daunting cleanup after 100 cm of snow walloped the East Coast
A multi-day and historic snowstorm took a significant toll across eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton last weekend, and for some, the worst is far from over. Cleanup efforts are well underway, but with 100+ cm to dig out from, it could still be days before returning to normalcy for the region.
"This was an unusual, stalling low-pressure system that sat off the coast of Nova Scotia for days, bringing the highest snowfall totals ever seen for some in the Maritimes," says Matt Grinter a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
Major highways across Cape Breton are now passable, according to the Public Works Department, though narrow lanes may still be an issue.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) declared a local state of emergency in response to the storm. Several schools across the region remained closed once again on Wednesday, with public transit not running, either.
SEE ALSO: Major highways across Cape Breton now passable after multi-day storm
New Glasgow, N.S. (Nathan Coleman)
Mega-snowbanks and buried cars are widespread following the weekend storm. Though extremely daunting, drivers are being warned that leaving your car buried in snow can eventually lead to several issues in the future. Taking the time to clear it, and get the car out from under the pile will certainly be worth it in the end, according to experts at certifiedsafedriver.com. Damaging issues include a drained battery, and leaks into the braking system.
Staying aware of the high snowbanks and their location to power lines are also safety issues that impacted residents should keep in mind.
"Snow days and fresh powder for playing are the best parts of winter, but with heavy snowfall come high drifts and snowbanks, which means you may be closer to power lines and electrical equipment," warned Nova Scotia Power. "That's why it's important to be aware of your surroundings and stay away from overhead lines. Play safely!"
Snow days and fresh powder for playing are the best parts of winter, but with heavy snowfall come high drifts and snowbanks, which means you may be closer to power lines and electrical equipment. That's why it's important to be aware of your surroundings and stay away from... pic.twitter.com/Sy0CZk5Mdx
Snow days and fresh powder for playing are the best parts of winter, but with heavy snowfall come high drifts and snowbanks, which means you may be closer to power lines and electrical equipment. That's why it's important to be aware of your surroundings and stay away from… Nova Scotia Power on Twitter: "Snow days and fresh powder for playing are the best parts of winter, but with heavy snowfall come high drifts and snowbanks, which means you may be closer to power lines and electrical equipment. That's why it's important to be aware of your surroundings and stay away from... pic.twitter.com/Sy0CZk5Mdx / Twitter"
Here's a closer look at the cleanup efforts underway amid this epic February snowfall on the East Coast:
Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end #nsstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/7pnh5G1jgg
Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end #nsstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/7pnh5G1jgg / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end #nsstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/7pnh5G1jgg / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end #nsstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/7pnh5G1jgg / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Shoveling off the roof in New Glasgow. Watch til the end #nsstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/7pnh5G1jgg / Twitter"
I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV
I think it’s safe to say that we have enough snow!
Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS Little Viking Landscaping on Twitter: "I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV / Twitter" Little Viking Landscaping on Twitter: "I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV / Twitter" Little Viking Landscaping on Twitter: "I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV / Twitter" Little Viking Landscaping on Twitter: "I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV / Twitter"— Little Viking Landscaping (@LVikinLandscape) Little Viking Landscaping on Twitter: "I think it's safe to say that we have enough snow! Picture taken at Kent Building Supplies in Antigonish, NS #snowmegeddon #NovaScotia #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/dbxqMYcfKV / Twitter"
Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA
Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Firefighters digging out a hydrant on Herring Cove Rd. in #Halifax #nsstorm @KMacTWN @HRMFireNews pic.twitter.com/A5aAlubFFA / Twitter"
Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN
Plow stuck in Englishtown Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter" on Kelly's Lane On second hill Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter" photo by my friend Glenn. Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter" Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter" Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter" Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter"
— Nelson Edge (@NelsonEdge) Nelson Edge on Twitter: "Plow stuck in Englishtown #CapeBreton on Kelly's Lane On second hill #nsstorm photo by my friend Glenn. @KalinMitchelCTV @ryansnoddon @NateTWN pic.twitter.com/LqFgkVg3LN / Twitter"
If you're wondering just how much snow #PEI got, check out this shot taken inside Canadian Tire. Those are NOT mountains! ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/Gf8cQT8CdY
If you’re wondering just how much snow Mary Robinson on Twitter: "If you're wondering just how much snow #PEI got, check out this shot taken inside Canadian Tire. Those are NOT mountains! ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/Gf8cQT8CdY / Twitter" got, check out this shot taken inside Canadian Tire. Those are NOT mountains! ❄️☃️ Mary Robinson on Twitter: "If you're wondering just how much snow #PEI got, check out this shot taken inside Canadian Tire. Those are NOT mountains! ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/Gf8cQT8CdY / Twitter"
— Mary Robinson (@Agproudmary) Mary Robinson on Twitter: "If you're wondering just how much snow #PEI got, check out this shot taken inside Canadian Tire. Those are NOT mountains! ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/Gf8cQT8CdY / Twitter"
This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it's 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.@weathernetwork @NateTWN #peistorm pic.twitter.com/vlxp9a68UD
This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it’s 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.
There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.John Morris on Twitter: "This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it's 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.@weathernetwork @NateTWN #peistorm pic.twitter.com/vlxp9a68UD / Twitter" John Morris on Twitter: "This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it's 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.@weathernetwork @NateTWN #peistorm pic.twitter.com/vlxp9a68UD / Twitter" John Morris on Twitter: "This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it's 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.@weathernetwork @NateTWN #peistorm pic.twitter.com/vlxp9a68UD / Twitter" John Morris on Twitter: "This is usually 2 lanes in each direction separated by a traffic island. Today it's 1 lane in each direction on one side of the highway.There are probably cars buried on the other side. Many streets will require blowers to open up.@weathernetwork @NateTWN #peistorm pic.twitter.com/vlxp9a68UD / Twitter"
Reporting from a snow drift #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/rnbzHyDojs
Reporting from a snow drift Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Reporting from a snow drift #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/rnbzHyDojs / Twitter" Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Reporting from a snow drift #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/rnbzHyDojs / Twitter"
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) Nathan Coleman on Twitter: "Reporting from a snow drift #nsstorm pic.twitter.com/rnbzHyDojs / Twitter"
It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via @DMac57068291 #NSstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/048cZCBmMG
It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via Kim MacDonald 🌻 on Twitter: "It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via @DMac57068291 #NSstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/048cZCBmMG / Twitter" Kim MacDonald 🌻 on Twitter: "It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via @DMac57068291 #NSstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/048cZCBmMG / Twitter" Kim MacDonald 🌻 on Twitter: "It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via @DMac57068291 #NSstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/048cZCBmMG / Twitter" Kim MacDonald 🌻 on Twitter: "It could be another day at least before side streets are plowed in Sydney, NS. Some emergency personnel are getting picked up in 4x4 police and fire vehicles to get to work. This much snow is dangerous. Via @DMac57068291 #NSstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/048cZCBmMG / Twitter"
Six hours later, this is where I'm at.A path that is not quite wide enough for my car.That leads to a road that isn't plowed.But - it's something.#NSStorm pic.twitter.com/xONihUaNtm
Six hours later, this is where I’m at.
A path that is not quite wide enough for my car.
That leads to a road that isn’t plowed.
But — it’s something.Monika_Dutt on Twitter: "Six hours later, this is where I'm at.A path that is not quite wide enough for my car.That leads to a road that isn't plowed.But - it's something.#NSStorm pic.twitter.com/xONihUaNtm / Twitter" Monika_Dutt on Twitter: "Six hours later, this is where I'm at.A path that is not quite wide enough for my car.That leads to a road that isn't plowed.But - it's something.#NSStorm pic.twitter.com/xONihUaNtm / Twitter"— Monika_Dutt (@Monika_Dutt) Monika_Dutt on Twitter: "Six hours later, this is where I'm at.A path that is not quite wide enough for my car.That leads to a road that isn't plowed.But - it's something.#NSStorm pic.twitter.com/xONihUaNtm / Twitter"
Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/CD97r9o8Ys
Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. Adam Hill on Twitter: "Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/CD97r9o8Ys / Twitter" Adam Hill on Twitter: "Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/CD97r9o8Ys / Twitter" Adam Hill on Twitter: "Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/CD97r9o8Ys / Twitter"
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillPhoto) Adam Hill on Twitter: "Yeah, it was a lot of snow and a lot of work but it's still quite beautiful. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/CD97r9o8Ys / Twitter"
There are actually 2 SUVs in the first pic. My grey Rav was totally buried, finally got it dug out. That's more the 5ft of snow for sure. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/vBjHI2pO0E
There are actually 2 SUVs in the first pic. My grey Rav was totally buried, finally got it dug out. That’s more the 5ft of snow for sure. Holly B 🦩 on Twitter: "There are actually 2 SUVs in the first pic. My grey Rav was totally buried, finally got it dug out. That's more the 5ft of snow for sure. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/vBjHI2pO0E / Twitter" Holly B 🦩 on Twitter: "There are actually 2 SUVs in the first pic. My grey Rav was totally buried, finally got it dug out. That's more the 5ft of snow for sure. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/vBjHI2pO0E / Twitter" Holly B 🦩 on Twitter: "There are actually 2 SUVs in the first pic. My grey Rav was totally buried, finally got it dug out. That's more the 5ft of snow for sure. #NSstorm #CapeBreton pic.twitter.com/vBjHI2pO0E / Twitter"
New Glasgow, N.S. (Nathan Coleman)
New Glasgow, N.S. (Nathan Coleman)
