Expected above-freezing temperatures and rain coupled with huge amounts of snow already covering the area will likely cause more havoc.
Huntsville director of operations and protective services Tarmo Uukivvi said the biggest concern going forward is water accumulation on roadways and localized flooding.
“Fluctuating temperatures make ice formation possible, further making travel about town more hazardous. Hydro restoration efforts may be slowed due to weather. Tree limbs are at risk of breaking and causing additional outages under the weight of wet snow,” he noted.
The municipality is working with other area municipal partners, including the District of Muskoka, to open catch basins, widen roads and remove snowbanks.” We are also working with area contractors to further build our capacity to move more quickly in our snow-clearing work,” stated Uukkivi.
He said at present, his department is within the 2022 approved operating budget but costs are increasing “and we are monitoring the budget closely to evaluate overtime and contracting costs. With only a few days left in 2022, the impact will not be that significant.”
On behalf of the Town, Ukkivi thanked everyone for their continued patience and understanding as staff continues to work around the clock to normalize winter life in Huntsville. He asked that residents keep roadways and sidewalks clear of any obstructions including cars that could interfere with winter operations.”If residents see water pooling and not draining, please contact roads operations and we will address issues as they come up.”
He said residents should be prepared for potential emergencies not just now but any time o year and follow federal government guidance, including haveing a 72-hour emergency kit on hand. Further information can be found here.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Allen,
I always enjoy your articles whether they be on this site or “ Sound Off”, probably because I was “ born and raised” in Huntsville.
Raised in the West End( not CentreTown or the East End!), I remember that city folks would be concerned about our snow storms unless it was good for skiing. If the storms effected the roads, that was a different story!
Each area of town had its long homemade sleds that competed;; Centre Town from the top of Centre St. across Main, West End, top of Yonge to Hunter’s Bay. East End could not compete; no hills,
Caution and care were in place by “Crossing Guards” at each intersection to stop the sleds in case of traffic.
Compared to the Extreme Sports of today, no contest, but that was then and this is now; dramatically different in so many ways.
That is some kinda ‘mother’ to leave in charge of weather. And quite a sense of humor it seems. Not necessary to agree; just look at your laneway, roadway, roof, tree overhanging the house. You can see what I mean.
Not sure that if it keeps snowing, the thing to do is stop plowing. If the hole is filling up, do you stop bailing? The wind ‘s blowing bad, do we stop fastening things down?
The snow will build ’til the truck can’t push it and the wing. The road narrows and it’s ‘grader time’!
That said, such storms were an event for me when I was 5, 6 or 7. I lived on Brunel road at the top of Carter’s Hill. Drive past Forbes’ Field, around Forbes’ Corner and up Carter’s Hill. I lived at the very top.
Some people, once the fall was waning, would start carrying a set of chains in their car; but the uninitiated were careless.
The hill was much steeper back in the 40’s and 50’s, and remained so until it was reconfigured about 1951(?). A bad storm would bring out the ‘howlers and screamers’ as my Mother called them. The hill became my show place. I would get on a chair, in behind the big curtains in the front-room window, and watch the performance unfold.
People would round the corner and try to melt their way to the top of the hill. Those already stuck would be out along the roadway waiting, and as the next driver attempted the ascent, they would grab hold of the vehicle and help to wrestle the roaring beast over the crest.
Once on top, that vehicle would park by my grandparents house. and they would all troop back to do their best to ensure the next driver would gain the crest.
Sometimes I was allowed to stay up late, and watch Mother Nature toy with mere mortals, and their cars with no snow tires or chains.
There was a way around the hill, coming out along the lane past Snowden’s farm and back onto Brunel Rd., across from my Great uncle John Carter’s farm. But people were dubious when Russel or George or my Dad would tell them about the safer passage. Some would not believe, so my show would continue.
But come seven or eight o’clock, I would be scooted off to bed, still able to hear the muted roar of engines, the whine of tires and still smell the scorched rubber. I’d drift off to sleep knowing that, when I was older, I’d know how to deal with that ol’ hill.
Hope you all have power, warmth, and a good show to watch.
Happy New Year.
Welcome Tarmo! I really appreciate you consistently communicating updates to the “snow” situation for our town!