Snow emergencies have been announced in the Waterloo region, leading to a 24-hour street parking ban.
Snow emergencies have been declared in Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. Cambridge’s snow emergency commenced at 12 p.m. on Monday, while Kitchener and Waterloo’s snow emergencies began at 11:59 p.m. on the same day.
Cambridge mandates that sidewalks be cleared within 36 hours following the conclusion of a snowfall, while Waterloo requires sidewalk clearance within 24 hours post-snowfall.
Cambridge emphasized in a press release that residential roads are usually not salted, resulting in snow accumulation on the surface.
City plows in both Waterloo and Cambridge will prioritize clearing residential roads last, after main roads and transit routes.
Bob Henderson, the Director of Transportation Services for the City of Waterloo, reassured residents not to worry if their street has not been plowed yet, urging patience with the city staff.
Henderson underscored the city’s efforts to conserve salt, stating that strategies include using less salt on lightly traveled roads compared to major collectors and regional roads.
The Township of Woolwich and the Township of Wilmot also declared significant weather events.
Woolwich clarified that the declaration of a significant weather event serves as a cautionary measure for drivers to navigate cautiously due to changing weather and road conditions.
The significant weather event declaration remains in effect until the township cancels it.
Wilmot’s special weather event commenced at 5 p.m. on Monday.
The public will be informed when the declaration is lifted, allowing the township to resume regular road maintenance as per Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards.
A flood warning and flood watch have been issued by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) affecting Drayton, New Hamburg, and Ayr.
The GRCA flood warning for Drayton signifies an expected rise in river flows to Flood Warning Zone 1 on Monday morning. A flood warning indicates imminent or ongoing flooding that can lead to closures and evacuations.
The Grand River Conservation Authority is encouraging residents to refer to this graphic for information regarding flood warning zones in Drayton. (GRCA)
The GRCA also issued a flood watch message for New Hamburg and Ayr, indicating potential flooding in specific areas.
A watershed conditions message issued earlier this month for the Grand River watershed remains in effect, warning of possible flooding due to heavy rain or snowmelt.
The public is advised to stay away from water bodies and ice-covered surfaces due to unstable conditions.