Waterloo Region crews continue to clear roadways; officials offering safety tips

Plow crews in Waterloo Region continue to work around the clock to clean up after the large long weekend winter storm.

Many municipal roads remain snow-covered, and some lanes are still completely blocked by snow and ice.

To help crews clear the piles, snow events in the tri-cities have all been extended until further notice.

Not all drivers have been obeying the on-street parking bans, with the City of Cambridge saying 770 parking tickets have been issued in the last week.

In Ayr and New Hamburg, crews aren’t just plowing the snow, but lifting it to clear the built-up snowbanks.

Officials are asking people to ensure the important areas around their homes are clear of all snow and ice.

The Kitchener Fire Department is reminding residents to clear any hydrants in front of their homes of all snow and ice so that emergency crews can easily access them.

Open Gallery 3 items

Kitchener Utilities is also asking residents to make sure the intake and exhaust valves, as well as the gas regulator, outside of their homes are clear of all snow and ice. Failing to clear these devices could redirect harmful fumes back into houses, which could have fatal consequences.

“If they have a CO alarm going off, or if they smell gas, or if they’re experiencing any carbon monoxide-related symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or vomiting, they should evacuate their home to a safe location and call 911,” said Viren Mehta, manager for Gas Measurement and Service at Kitchener Utilities.