Special to Bullet News
A large winter storm hit southern Ontario on Wednesday, bringing with it gusting winds and significant snow fall, with up to 30 cm in some parts of the province. In Niagara, between 10-20 cm fell starting at around 3 p.m. in the southern tier, later in the north of the region.
By Thursday morning, most of the snow had tapered off.
Niagara Regional Police are not reporting many serious collisions as a result of the storm, though media officer Const. Derek Watson said there have been several calls of vehicles stuck in ditches, with most being cleared before police arrive.
However, Watson pointed out there have been many parking complaints and reports of abandoned vehicles. He reminded residents that vehicles parking on the side of the road can delay or prevent effective snow clearing.
In St. Catharines, vehicles parked on the street or in a municipal lot in the downtown core may be moved to a nearby municipal lot at the owner’s expense. And any vehicle parked on the street with no indication of having been moved within 24 hours of a snow event will be subject ticketed and immediately towed, as per the 12-hour parking restriction.
And residents are also being reminded it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear away snow and ice on the sidewalks fronting the property.
In St. Catharines, city crews may — at the homeowner’s expense — spread salt on the sidewalk if it is not cleared within 24 hours of the storm. Homeowners will be charged $10 for every metre of snow/ice that is removed.
-Niagara This Week
