City snow plow crews have their hands full after last night’s storm

While all City of Sault Ste. Marie buses and facilities are closed today, Public Works snow plow crews still have their work cut out for them after the severe winter storm the Sault experienced overnight.

Larry Girardi, deputy CAO, Public Works and Engineering Services, told SooToday Monday roads in the city’s west end are in the worst shape by far in terms of need for snow removal.

Girardi said all available city plows will be working to clear the Sault’s roads around the clock today, likely continuing their work into tomorrow.

Girardi is calling on all Sault residents to keep their vehicles off the roads and in their driveways while snow-clearing crews perform their tasks.

The Sault PUC’s main building is closed in the aftermath of last night’s storm, but PUC crews are out performing their regular duties.

Giordan Zin, PUC customer engagement supervisor, said “last night we had approximately 1,100 customers without power because of the wind, but most of them were back up by eight o’clock last night, so everybody had power throughout the night.”

“Our crews are out today, it’s business as usual for the crews keeping the lines clear, but it’s not an all hands on deck situation,” Zin said.

As reported earlier, area school buses are not running in the wake of last night’s storm, the schools also closed.

As far as schools go, Fran Walsh, Algoma District School Board (ADSB) communications officer, confirmed Monday marks the first time in the current school year ADSB schools have been closed due to weather in Sault Ste. Marie, as did Jim Fitzpatrick, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) communications officer.