City of Saskatoon prepares winter storm response

Saskatoon is expected to get over a foot of snow, or between 30 and 50 cm,  over the weekend as the city braces for blizzard-like conditions.

“We are going to see some fairly strong winds tomorrow gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour,” Terri Lang, meteorologist for Environment Canada said on Saturday. ” We are expecting widespread blizzard conditions around the city and in and around Southern Saskatchewan.

“It’s quite a significant weather system moving through.”

The wicked winds and abundance of snow are expected to give a real test to people in charge of keeping city roads safe.

Goran Saric, director of roadways for the city, says crews will have their hands full.

“There will be as many as 200 workers between city crews and contractors crews out there fighting the snow,” Saric said. “We are starting with the highest priority streets and getting prepared for what we might be seeing later today and tomorrow throughout the day.

Circle Drive, College Drive, 8th Street and 22nd Street are looked at as high priority areas, along with all bridges and overpasses.

Saric added that crews will be working hard to ensure people are able to safely vote on Monday.

“We want to provide as much mobility as possible to voters. It is a significant event for our city and our strategy is aimed at maximizing the ability for people to move through the city before, during and after the storm, including accessing polling stations on Monday,” Saric claimed.

Pamela Goulden-McLeod, director of emergency management for the city, advised people not to travel throughout the weekend unless absolutely necessary.

“You can ensure that you have what you need for tomorrow and Monday in particular,” Goulden-McLeod said. “This doesn’t mean that we have to get really worried, but we want to be prepared as always. If you can plan ahead to get your errands and grocery shopping done beforehand, that would be very helpful,” she said.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says there could be disruptions to services such as power, or transit if the storm becomes as severe as anticipated.

“We are planning as a city, talking together, working together as a city to approach the storm,” Jorgenson added. ” We’re feeling very confident going into the storm.”