In the aftermath of a record-breaking snowstorm that blanketed Toronto with 56 centimeters of snow, city officials have launched an unprecedented snow removal operation involving nearly 1,500 workers and round-the-clock equipment deployment.

Massive Cleanup Operation Underway

Mayor Olivia Chow announced that 1,300 city staff and contractors have been working continuously since Sunday, with an additional 175 workers now joining the effort. The operation has shifted from initial snow plowing to a more complex phase of physically removing snow from city streets.

The storm’s impact was severe, with 438 reported vehicle collisions in a 24-hour period and widespread transit disruptions across the city. Areas near Lake Ontario experienced the heaviest snowfall, with measurements taken at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport confirming the historic nature of the weather event.

Strategic Removal Plan

The city has prioritized clearing around hospitals and is now focusing on bridges, highways, transit routes, and residential streets, with narrow streets receiving immediate attention. Dump sites are operating at maximum capacity, and snow melters are running continuously to manage the massive volume of snow being removed.

Residential Street Clearing Process

Residents will receive 24-hour notice via orange signs before snow removal crews arrive in their neighborhoods. City Manager Paul Johnson emphasized the critical need for resident cooperation, particularly in moving vehicles to facilitate efficient snow removal operations.

Infrastructure and Resources

The city currently operates five snow facilities, including four snow melters, with some sites handling up to 50,000 tons of snow. Officials are actively identifying additional dump sites to support ongoing operations and maintain removal capacity.

Community Response and Services

The city’s 311 service continues to handle 3,000-4,000 daily calls, with sidewalk clearing emerging as the primary concern. Officials acknowledge some performance gaps in sidewalk maintenance and are implementing additional inspections to improve service delivery over the next 24-hour cycle.

Residents are strongly urged to monitor for orange warning signs in their neighborhoods and ensure vehicles are relocated promptly to avoid delays in the cleanup operation. The city has deployed 25 dedicated crews for this phase of the removal process, working to restore normal access to Toronto’s streets as quickly as possible.