It was yet another wild weekend for winter weather. The Drumheller area was buried in a thick blanket of snow.
Starting Friday afternoon, a snowstorm blew in and continued for most of the weekend. Town staff were busy throughout the weekend clearing as much snow as they could.
“The crew was ready to go. They started as early as possible and worked through the weekend. They were still out until about 6 p.m. (Sunday) to catch up,” said Allan Kendrick, Director of Infrastructure Services. “We’re still doing a bunch of walks and other areas. To get caught up, it depends on the wind and any more snow.”
Town of Drumheller crews have been out virtually nonstop clearing snow since the Valley was blanketed in snow over the weekend. A winter storm blasted the area starting on Friday, leaving a thick blanket of snow over Drumheller. RCMP responded to six accidents over the weekend, none of which were serious, however.
The major roads in Drumheller have received plowing and crews are working hard to improve road conditions wherever possible.
“They are sanding and salting. It doesn’t work too great in that -20 degree (Celsius) range, but if it warms up a little, it should help give more traction for folks,” said Kendrick. “Everywhere we have to be, we try to get there as quickly as possible.”
The Town of Drumheller plows the major roads in Drumheller and airport as per the 2007 Snow Removal and Ice Control Strategy approved by the council of the day. Residents hoping for their residential road to be cleared will likely not see a plow on their front street.
Kendrick anticipates a review of the strategy in the near future.
“We have service levels with priorities approved by council. Our service levels will be reviewed by council in the near future, so there could be changes there,” said Kendrick.
Despite the severe weather, the Drumheller RCMP reported few instances of vehicles going off the road.
“There were a few accidents, but nothing too severe. There was one that had minor injuries,” said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins.
Relief may be in sight for the area. Environment Canada is forecasting a sunny remainder of the week and even an dramatic increase in temperature by Sunday, which could see a high of 7 degrees Celsius.
