PICKERING: What you need to know about dealing with snow in Pickering

What you need to know about dealing with snow in Pickering

Kristen Calis
DurhamRegion.com

As Pickering works to clean up the snow, the city is reminding residents of what to expect and how to stay safe in the winter weather.

Crews clear roads and sidewalks in priority sequence in accordance with the City of Pickering’s winter maintenance standards. Click here to learn the order of operations, important reminders and more.

Snow clearing priorities

As a general rule, the south urban area of the city can expect complete service, entailing salting and plowing, within 13 hours for storms with up to 10 centimetres (four inches) of snow and within 24 hours for up to 20 centimetres (eight inches) of snow. The north rural area can expect complete service within 20 hours when the snow reaches four inches and within 30 hours for up to eight inches.

• Elexicon Energy is Pickering’s electrical service provider
• See the outage map here
• Report outages at 1-866-579-6819

• Stay clear of downed power lines and always assume they are live. Stay back at least 10 metres, which is the length of a school bus.
• Do not attempt to remove trees or debris from power lines.
• If a power line contacts your vehicle, stay inside and call 911.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
• Operate portable generators outdoors only. They should be kept at a safe distance from doors, windows and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Turn off or unplug major appliances and portable heaters to help prevent fire risk or damage when power is restored.
• Charge your mobile devices in advance and check on vulnerable neighbours, family and friends.
• Find more information at Ontario.ca.

Good neighbour reminders

• Parking is prohibited on all streets between 2 and 5 a.m. from Dec. 1 to March 31 and the fine is $50
• Parking on city streets during snow clearing operations is also prohibited and the fine is $90
• Homeowners must ensure snow and ice are removed from their sidewalk within 24 hours.

Stay warm

There is one dedicated warming centre and one emergency overnight warming centre in Pickering. Learn about warming centres here.

Customer care

The customer care centre can be reached by calling 905-683-7575 or sending an email to customercare@pickering.ca.