The City of Sault Ste. Marie is currently facing challenging weather conditions due to a significant snowstorm. Authorities have urged residents to minimize travel on city roads unless absolutely necessary. This plea comes as snowplow operators are fully deployed to manage road conditions effectively.
Travel Advisory: Avoid Roads Tonight
In an update released around 3:30 p.m. today, the city emphasized the need for drivers to stay off the streets. This approach significantly aids snowplow operators in clearing routes more efficiently. Those who must travel are advised to adapt their driving to the current road conditions and maintain a safe distance from heavy machinery.
Weather Overview
The city is dealing with a complex weather event characterized by:
- Freezing rain accumulations between 5 to 10 mm
- Heavy snowfall expected to reach 20 to 40 cm
The service and facility operations are expected to return to normal by tomorrow morning, pending weather conditions.
Road Clearing Efforts
Public Works crews have prioritized the clearing of main and collector roads, with residential streets to follow. Despite ongoing snowfall, the city has deployed all available staff and equipment to handle snow and ice buildup.
Transit and Garbage Collection Updates
- Transit Services: Sault Transit and Parabus services have been canceled for the evening, with a tentative resumption planned for tomorrow at 6:15 a.m.
- Garbage and Recycling: Collection scheduled for today is postponed until next Monday. Residents may place extra bags at the curb for collection next week.
Facility Operations
Community centres operated by the city are expected to reopen tomorrow, along with regular programming resuming. The Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre is also projected to open at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow if weather conditions allow.
Conclusion
The city expresses gratitude to residents for their patience during this challenging weather situation. Continued snowfall and potential further accumulation require vigilance among residents. For ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to check the city’s official channels.
