Storm cleanup underway

It was one of the worst days of the winter — and it happened a little more than a week from spring. Blizzard conditions swept across most of southern Ontario throughout the day — replenishing the snow that had been melting — with up to 25 centimeters of thick, white menace. Whipped by strong winds, the conditions made travel a challenge by both vehicle, and foot.

It’s now the calm — after the storm. Hamilton — and most of southern Ontario — digging out, after a day of spinning tires.

The snow started early, and stayed late. Driven by brisk winds — off a storm tossed lake.

15 to 25 centimeters of snow which kept the streets filled with slush — and nearly empty of city residents. Truly — not a fit day out, for man nor beast.

On the highways — treacherous conditions. Snow, packed down into a thin layer of ice. On the 401 just east of Woodstock — that combination proved a little too challenging, for more than 20 vehicles piled up in a chain reaction accident. A few people were taken to hospital. No major injuries. A surprise considering the number of commercial trucks involved. It took the OPP five hours to clear the debris — before a slow moving convoy of vehicles, could follow the snow plows headed east.

Slow going on any road. No matter where you were — or how you were getting about. For today at least, in this weather — we were all — just scraping by.

We had several of our CHCH crew out on the roads capturing the sights and sounds of the storm — and the consensus of all the cameramen and videographers that were picking their way through this storm was that this was the worst weather we’ve seen this winter. Tonight, everyone is glad it’s all over — except of course — for that shovelling part.