Blizzard Stranding Drivers, Closing Highways and Schools in Manitoba
Manitoba is currently facing a severe blizzard, causing widespread disruption across the province. Drivers have been stranded, power outages have occurred, schools and highways are closed, flights have been canceled, and essential services like home care and garbage collection have been delayed. The blizzard has created hazardous conditions, particularly in southern Manitoba.
The storm, known as the Alberta Clipper, brought strong winds of up to 90 km/h and heavy snowfall, reducing visibility to near zero in some areas. It was expected to dump 10-20 centimeters of snow across the region, with potential for higher amounts in certain areas, before subsiding later in the day.
The Manitoba RCMP received numerous calls from stranded drivers whose vehicles were inaccessible, even to officers and tow truck operators. The RCMP advised that drivers should avoid the roads due to the poor visibility and hazardous conditions. Sgt. Paul Manaigre emphasized the importance of staying off the roads, stating, 'Ideally, you want to get off those roads. With that wind ... visibility is next to nothing, especially when you're outside the city on the highways. Visibility's everything when it comes to driving safely.'
Between 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, the Mounties recorded 11 crash reports and several incidents of vehicles stranded in ditches on highways across the province. Some roads within Winnipeg became impassable due to snow drifts and cover, and many highways were closed, including parts of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Perimeter Highway.
The storm also led to the closure of all public schools in Winnipeg, a rare occurrence since 2022. Schools and administration offices across the city were closed, while Pembina Trails School Division continued online classes. This decision followed a 25-year period when schools in Winnipeg hadn't closed due to weather.
Manitoba Hydro faced power outages in Winnipeg and outside the city, including one incident along Pembina Highway that affected the University of Manitoba. The University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University, and Booth University College in Winnipeg were closed for the day and postponed exams.
Many flights in and out of Winnipeg were delayed or canceled due to the storm, causing inconvenience for travelers. The City of Winnipeg canceled garbage and recycling pickup, rescheduled for Friday, which was then pushed to Saturday. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority significantly reduced home care services, affecting most clients.
The blizzard has also impacted health care services, and the Manitoba government's website provides travel information and road conditions. The City of Winnipeg's snow-clearing crews have been working on main roads since 1 a.m., with sidewalk plowing paused due to blowing snow. The city plans to resume clearing sidewalks and pathways at 7 p.m. and resume plowing residential streets on Sunday.
The blizzard has caused widespread disruption, and the authorities are urging residents to stay off the roads and avoid non-essential travel.
