Toronto is facing a monumental recovery effort after a historic snowstorm dumped 46 centimeters of snow across the city, and in some areas, accumulations reached a staggering 90 centimeters.
Mayor Olivia Chow addressed reporters Tuesday, emphasizing that the city’s return to normal will take several days despite a full-scale mobilization of resources. Crews have been working relentlessly, and the addition of a sixth snow storage and melting site in Etobicoke is bolstering their capacity.
Over 1,300 city staff and contractors are currently deployed, with an additional 100 personnel redeployed to support the snow response. However, overnight winds of 30 km/h hampered progress, necessitating a second pass for plowing and windrow clearing.
The focus is now shifting to the second phase: snow removal. Crews have already begun clearing snow around hospitals, and starting Wednesday, a city-wide, street-by-street operation will commence. Residents will receive advance notice before snow removal begins on their block.
City manager Paul Johnson described the undertaking as “major,” stressing the need for public cooperation. Residents are urged to avoid designated snow routes to allow crews unobstructed access.
The city is acutely aware of the challenges faced by residents with mobility issues and those using strollers, particularly where sidewalks remain impassable. Efforts are underway to expand sidewalk space using specialized equipment like snow cutters.
This year, the city has increased its snow-melting capacity with the purchase of two additional melters, allowing for more efficient snow storage. The sheer volume of snow, however, requires a massive dump truck operation to transport it from streets to designated sites.
The immediate goal is to complete the plowing operation, paving the way for the extensive snow removal process that will define the coming days. The city is committed to a systematic approach, prioritizing major roads and transit stops before moving to residential streets.
More than 1,000 TTC workers are also working tirelessly to keep stations and transit stops clear, supported by city crews. The combined effort represents a city-wide commitment to overcoming this extraordinary weather event.
