Ice storm clean-up continues Thursday

WEST CARLETON – Many West Carleton residents are still without power as clean-up from yesterday’s (April 5) sustained ice storm.

Yesterday, was Ottawa’s wettest day this year with 38.5 millimetres of mixed precipitation falling from the skies, much of that in the form of freezing rain.

Hydro One reports on their outage map more than 2,200 West Carleton residents still without power as of 10 a.m. this morning (April 6). Those numbers are scattered from one end of West Carleton to the other. Hydro One does not give an expected time of resolution for most of the outages currently in West Carleton.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said Hydro Ottawa informed the mayor the top 20 outages related to their customers should expect to have power restored by noon today.

“Some areas remain hazardous due to fallen debris and power outages affecting traffic signals,” Sutcliffe released in a statement.

Hydro Ottawa says crews worked through the night “to prep and clean sites as part of the restoration efforts.”

Hydro Ottawa’s outage map shows more than 2,000 residents of West Carleton-March Ward without power.

Roughly 60,000 Ottawa residents across the city are without power this morning.

The city’s staff has also been busy.

“The City of Ottawa’s Forestry Services have received hundreds of requests regarding fallen trees or limbs across the city today,” city staff release in a statement last night just before 10 p.m. “They and their partners are prioritizing work to address fallen trees and debris that are blocking streets or those that may be a hazard to residents or property. Once hazards and streets are cleared, staff and contractors will address broken limbs, non-hazardous removals, and brush/wood cleanup. It is expected that these weather-related service requests will be their focus for several weeks. Residents are advised to stay safely away from broken and hanging branches/limbs or leaning trees. Please also be aware of ice chunks melting and falling from above.”

The Significant Weather Event declared yesterday is still in effect.

“Crews will continue to work throughout the night,” staff said. “Please exercise caution when using City sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network. The city is receiving higher than average call volumes.

“We ask for your patience if you have made a service request or are trying to reach 311,” staff said.

Public Works Department general manager Alain Gonthier updated city council on the situation in a memo obtained by West Carleton Online late last night (April 5).

“Ottawa has seen a mix of ice pellets, freezing rain, thunder, lightning, and a sustained downpour,” Gonthier said. “Environment Canada’s alerts regarding freezing rain and heavy rainfall in the Ottawa region have proven out: the prolonged period of freezing rain, strong winds and rainfall continued throughout this afternoon and has led to significant ice build-up, power outages, tree damage and ponding.”

Gonthier said one of the city’s successes was getting to work early in advance of the storm.

“Crews have been out nonstop and managed to stay ahead of this event, treating sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network,” he said. “Where necessary, ice on sidewalks has been scraped down and treated. As evening falls, crews will start to make their way into residential neighborhoods to begin treating streets as required. This work will continue through the night. Our supervisors continue to monitor conditions and crews have been deployed to address drainage issues. As the rain continues, we will also monitor areas that are prone to localized flooding and address any water pooling by ensuring catch basins and ditches are opened.”

Gonthier reported Forestry Services received more than 600 requests for service before 9 p.m. yesterday “and counting.”

“Staff are triaging calls and prioritizing work to address trees and limbs that are blocking streets and those that may otherwise pose a hazard to residents or property,” Gonthier said. “Once hazards and streets are cleared, staff and contractors will address broken limbs, non-hazardous removals, and brush/wood cleanup. Further, some trees may require reinspection and pruning work following the storm. Forestry staff and contractors with the support of Roads staff will be working into the evening and over the coming weeks to address storm related service requests.”

Gonthier also updated council on potential spring flooding.

“The Spring Freshet Task Force continues to monitor the situation closely, and council may expect the weekly update tomorrow, with details on the latest conditions,” he said.

Ottawa’s beleaguered O-Train was also a casualty of the ice storm. Staff continue to bring service back online today.

“Line 1 service resumed just before 6am between Tunney’s Pasture and Rideau stations,” Transit Services Department general manager Renée Amilcar reported to council in a memo obtained by West Carleton Online this morning (April 6). “R1 bus service continues to run between Blair and Rideau stations. Buses are operating at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes.”

Overnight, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) completed several steps to safely restore service in the west:  

• Manual removal of built-up ice on the overhead wires 
• Re-energizing of the system  
• Inspection of stopped trains and removal from the line 

“RTM is now repeating these activities in the east end of the system,” Amilcar said. “They will then remove stopped trains between Lees and Hurdman stations and complete inspections of the overhead wires. Staff anticipate service across the entire line will resume later today.”

Outreach teams will be at stations throughout the remainder of this disruption to assist customers, and updates will be provided through all communications channels. Customers can get information on their trips at octranspo.com or calling 613-560-5000.  

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) cancelled all bus service today (April 6).

“Due to safety concerns relating to power outages throughout the City of Ottawa all transportation services on vans, yellow buses and wheelchair buses will be cancelled today,” the OSTA said.

The Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) was open for the most part today, but Huntley Centennial Public School in Carp was on the list of 29 public schools not open due to power outages. Both West Carleton Secondary School and Stonecrest Elementary School were not on the list.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) was in the same boat, open for the most part with roughly 21 schools closed today including both Catholic schools in West Carleton, St. Michael’s in both Fitzroy Harbour and Corkery.

The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) cancelled program in West Carleton today including playgroups in Carp and Constance Bay as well as Toys on Tour which was also scheduled to visit Constance Bay today.