Clean-up efforts continue across Calgary from summer snow

Super-crews have been busy around Calgary, working around the clock in a bid to get the city back on its feet following this week’s massive snow event.

Downed trees and branches left dangling in precarious positions have been the top priority as they work down their list of hundreds of calls.

According to the city, those neighbourhoods hardest hit are on the west side of the city.

City officials have extended landfill hours and starting Saturday, tree debris can be left at any leaf and pumpkin drop-off location.

Dave Griffiths, Director of Waste and Recycling Services said he expects the clean-up could take days, even weeks.

“At any given moment I can’t tell you how many people are on each crew because we formulate them throughout the day,” he said. “The key right now is still, we’re into those public thoroughfares and high priority areas and Parks is the lead right now because they have the chainsaws, they’re taking down the real dangerous materials.”

He said it’s devastating to see to the damage to the trees across Calgary.

“We have extra help that came into the city such as Alberta Forestry and Alberta Sustainable Resource and Development, they’re also equipped with things to help in the process,” Griffiths said.

At last check with ENMAX, the local power provider listed roughly 1,800 customers across the city without power.

They’ve made progress overnight but add the real challenge is the waiting game they’re now in as they try to restore the hundreds still in the dark.

“Unfortunately for those customers who have to hire a certified electrician to come in and do the repair work to that connection point to their house, there’s quite a few people who have to do this and I’m quite certain the electrical contractors in the city are backlogged as a result. Until they can get that person in there to do the work, we’re not in a position where we can safely energize that house again so it’s a waiting game,” said Kaufmann-Woodcock.

She said it’s not even in one particular area of Calgary but rather isolated homes across three quadrants.

According to the city’s website, all regional parks have also been closed until further notice. Officials say they’ll work with event organizers but some planned festivities will have to be re-located or cancelled.

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