Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Snow chokes Maritime city, emergency declared to clear clogged roads

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Feb, 2015 10:46 AM

    SAINT JOHN, N.B. — A state of emergency has been declared in Saint John, N.B., after the third storm in less than a week dumped 29 centimetres of snow on the city overnight.

    Before the storm began Monday, the city already had almost 100 centimetres of snow on the ground.

    With more snow in the forecast, city officials said emergency vehicles were having a tough time getting around in the narrow streets in the city's southern peninsula. The city said that created a risk to public safety.

    Many of the streets in Saint John were impassable early Tuesday. Others were reduced to one, slippery lane. People were walking on the street because sidewalks were not plowed.

    "It's dangerous," said Devon Duplisea, who was shovelling snow for a property development company.

    He parked his car on the street to get the job done but had to drive around the block every time another car approached.

    "If one person gets stuck, you're toast."

    Duplisea said the city didn't do enough to remove snow that had built up over the week.

    "They had nighttime to get dump trucks to pull away this snow, and it seems like we're left to fend for ourselves."

    Sheri Whitaker was bundled up and carrying her coffee as she trudged along the street to get to work at Saint John High School.

    "You gotta do what you gotta do to get to work," she said, adding that she was concerned about public safety.

    "I don't even know if emergency vehicles can get down here."

    Environment Canada said a low-pressure system tracked northeastward over the Maritimes late Monday, bringing heavy snow, strong northeast winds and wind-chill values near -30 C.

    "It's been difficult to keep up with the rate of snowfall," said Jean-Marc Couturier, a forecaster with Environment Canada in Halifax.

    Road closures, school cancellations and flight delays were reported across the region.

    In Charlottetown, the storm dumped 59 centimetres of snow, paralyzing much of the city. Moncton reported 44 centimetres, adding to a heavy snowfall that happened last week. Greenwood recorded the most snow in Nova Scotia at 34 centimetres.

    In Halifax, the morning commute was difficult after 24 centimetres of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain combined to make a frozen mess. With a flash freeze warning in effect, the morning temperature dropped by as much as 10 degrees in little over an hour.

    Meanwhile, winds gusting at more that 100 kilometres per hour were reported in parts of Cape Breton.

    The storm was expected to make its way to Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing high winds and heavy snow to some areas.

    Couturier said another low-pressure system is expected to hit the Maritimes on Thursday, bringing more snow and strong winds.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police
    TORONTO — Four people have been arrested in a shooting in northwest Toronto that sent five people to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, police said Thursday.

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police

    Suspect in Ponzi scheme makes own closing argument; says he has the truth

    Suspect in Ponzi scheme makes own closing argument; says he has the truth
    CALGARY — One of two men on trial for an alleged multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that police say bilked thousands of investors around the world of $400 million has delivered his own closing argument.

    Suspect in Ponzi scheme makes own closing argument; says he has the truth

    Escaped Saskatchewan prisoner who taunted police on Facebook back in jail

    Escaped Saskatchewan prisoner who taunted police on Facebook back in jail
    BLACK LAKE, Sask. — A 21-year-old man who taunted police on Facebook after he escaped custody in northern Saskatchewan is back in jail.

    Escaped Saskatchewan prisoner who taunted police on Facebook back in jail

    He's No. 1: Urban research group names Calgary's Naheed Nenshi top world mayor

    He's No. 1: Urban research group names Calgary's Naheed Nenshi top world mayor
    CALGARY — Naheed Nenshi (nah-HEHD' NEHN'-shee) of Calgary has received an unexpected birthday gift after being named the No. 1 mayor in the world by an international urban research institute.

    He's No. 1: Urban research group names Calgary's Naheed Nenshi top world mayor

    School Bus And Transport Truck Crash In Northern Alberta; Driver Killed, Several Students Injured

    School Bus And Transport Truck Crash In Northern Alberta; Driver Killed, Several Students Injured
    GRIMSHAW, Alta. — A school bus driver was killed and several students were seriously injured in a crash with a transport truck in northwestern Alberta on Monday. RCMP said the crash happened at about 8:20 a.m. on Highway 35 north of Grimshaw.

    School Bus And Transport Truck Crash In Northern Alberta; Driver Killed, Several Students Injured

    Crown Says It Will Not Appeal Decision To Grant Guy Turcotte Bail Pending Trial

    Crown Says It Will Not Appeal Decision To Grant Guy Turcotte Bail Pending Trial
    MONTREAL — A former doctor charged with killing his children will remain free pending his trial as Quebec's Crown prosecutor's office said Monday it would not appeal the matter further.

    Crown Says It Will Not Appeal Decision To Grant Guy Turcotte Bail Pending Trial

    PrevNext