Ottawa Braces for Notable freezing Rain, City Declares Weather Emergency
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A major freezing rain event is forecast to impact the Ottawa area beginning this evening and continuing through Monday, potentially leading to hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and tree damage.
Ottawa residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution as Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the region. A substantial accumulation of ice – between 15 and 20 millimeters – is possible on various surfaces, creating a dangerous situation for commuters and residents alike.
A significant weather event (NDE) has been officially declared, signaling the severity of the anticipated conditions. According to officials, an NDE is triggered when weather warnings indicate a substantial hazard to Ottawa’s transportation network.”The purpose of declaring an IME is to inform the public that due to the forecast and/or current weather conditions, it will take longer than usual to restore the transportation system to normal conditions and that caution should be exercised when using sidewalks, roads, and the bicycle network accessible in winter,” a statement released by the city explained.
City Prepares for Impact
The City of Ottawa is currently in “monitoring” mode, with Public Works Services fully prepared to respond. Roads and Parking Services are actively preparing equipment, ensuring salt domes are filled, and mobilizing all necessary resources.Beyond roadways, Park Maintenance teams will prioritize treating parking lots at critical municipal facilities – including fire stations and paramedic stations – and also those at leisure centers and trails.
traffic Services will closely monitor and adjust traffic signals to mitigate mobility challenges,with staff on standby to address any control or signaling issues. The Forest Service is also preparing for potential impacts, monitoring wind and ice accumulation to respond to falling trees and limbs. While trash and recycling collection will proceed as scheduled, residents are advised to anticipate potential delays and leave their bins at the curb until emptied, as crews will require additional time to complete their routes.
Resident Safety is Paramount
Officials are strongly advising residents to prepare an emergency kit to ensure their safety and that of their families. “Safety is a priority for the Public Works team, and we will be on the ground in force,” one official stated. However, residents are urged to avoid all non-essential travel.If travel is unavoidable, extra time should be allocated, and drivers and pedestrians must adapt to the hazardous conditions.
Residents are asked to limit service requests to genuine emergencies, such as fallen branches obstructing sidewalks, roads, or bike paths.
Ongoing Monitoring and Recovery Efforts
The City will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the duration of the freezing rain event and adjust its response accordingly. While the system is expected to subside tomorrow, recovery efforts could be prolonged. “Although this system is ex
Why: A major freezing rain event was forecast to impact the Ottawa area.Who: The City of Ottawa,Environment canada,Public Works Services,Roads and Parking Services,Park Maintenance teams,Traffic Services,Forest Service,and Ottawa residents.
What: A freezing rain warning was issued,with potential for 15-20mm of ice accumulation,leading to hazardous conditions and a declared Significant Weather Event (NDE).
How did it end?: The freezing rain system was expected to subside tomorrow, but recovery efforts could be prolonged. The city will continue to monitor conditions
