'It's very frustrating': NFLD mayor reacts to 240 cm of snow

Thursday, April 6, 2017, 6:16 PM - While clear skies have allowed residents in Gander, Newfoundland, to dig out of the province's latest blizzard, a new system is set to deliver a swath of rain, which has Gander mayor Claude Elliott feeling unsettled.

Over the past week, the town has received over 130 cm of snow. With 241 cm currently on the ground, Gander has broken an all-time record snow depth of 174 cm set in 2004.

"I remember in the 60s we used to get a lot of snow, but I moved to Gander in 1974 and I have to say this is the most that I've ever seen this late in the season."

SPRING IS HERE: With La Niña helping shape global patterns what will Canadians expect from spring? Find out with The Weather Network’s 2017 Spring Forecast | FORECAST & MAPS HERE

Crews have been working tirelessly around the clock to clear the streets, however, many families are still snowed in, explained Elliott.

"It's very frustrating and we understand, but our residents for the most part are coping fine with it."

The biggest challenge with the town's staggering snow is managing traffic, according to the mayor.

While all of the main routes have been cleared, crews have yet to complete side streets.

"There's only room for one vehicle to get through at a time. People have to pull into another person's driveway to let somebody pass, so that's an inconvenience, but hopefully we can get that cleaned up soon," said Elliott. "Streets are a bit rough because of the high buildup, but with the help of Mother Nature, the sunshine and snow removal equipment, we will manage."

Currently, there are two snow blowers out clearing and widening the streets of Gander, with a full staff working both day and night shifts.

"In Newfoundland and Labrador we are use to this. We have had storms before and we will weather this one," he said. "Everybody is helping their neighbours dig out. I have no concerns, our citizens will be fine."

Elliott has received calls from two other local mayors who have offered assistance in the form of additional equipment. However, as it stands, Gander officials have "everything under control."

"We also put out a provision for seniors. If there is a medical emergency and your driveway is not done, residents are asked to call the fire hall and we will make sure to get a plow out to you, so the ambulance can get there," Elliott said. "But, so far we haven't had any calls for that."

Despite record levels of snow with back-to-back blizzards, the town is open for business.

"The town is wide open," Elliott noted. "You know you haven't had a major storm when Tim Hortons doesn't close," Elliott laughed.

A new low pressure system en route

A new low pressure system developing over the eastern U.S. has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special weather statement for most of Newfoundland, including Gander.

Rain is expected to develop over southwestern Newfoundland Friday morning and spread across remaining areas during the day.

"The combination of rain, strong southeasterly winds, and above freezing temperatures is expected to result in significant snowmelt and surface water runoff, especially in areas with a deep pre-existing snowpack," says the weather agency.

Ahead of this low, crews in Gander will be working all weekend to make sure all catch basins are clear, according to Elliott.

"There's so much snow. It's going to be difficult, but we're making sure that all of our infrastructure is going to be clean," he said. "We will make sure that it's running freely and we're keeping our staff on all weekend, 24 hours around the clock to try and clean up and try to be on top of anything that might happen."

Residents are reminded to keep vehicles off town streets to ensure effective snow clearing operations.

Motorists are also asked to exercise caution while driving due to rutting and pot holes that may have formed under the snowpack. 

"We don't have any control over Mother Nature and if she decides to send a pile of rain after a pile of snow, then we will have to try to deal with it."