Sudbury digs out after first major winter storm of 2024

After a slight reprieve, winter arrived in Greater Sudbury with a wallop.

The first storm of 2024 tracked through our region Wednesday leaving 18 centimetres of snow in its wake.

That meant snow removal was in full swing Wednesday across northern Ontario. In Sudbury, residents worked to clear the snowfall from their properties.

“Well there was quite a bit of snow and if I don’t clean it now and we get another storm, there won’t be no place to put any,” said Roger Villeneuve.

He spent an hour and a half clearing the snow from his driveway using both a snow blower and a shovel.

“This is my mother’s house,” said Darren Jokinen. “I ... blow her snow for her and try to do it whenever there’s a heavy snowfall.”

“I noticed a lot of the side streets haven’t been done, including this street,” Jokinen said.

The first storm of 2024 tracked through Greater Sudbury overnight Wednesday, leaving 18 centimetres of snow in its wake. That meant snow removal was in full swing Wednesday across northern Ontario. In Sudbury, residents worked to clear the snowfall from their properties. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)

“But this is the first snowfall, I guess they’re busy. I know they’re busy doing the main roads. They’ll get to it eventually.”

Wednesday morning, the City of Greater Sudbury declared the storm a significant weather event, which allows municipalities more time to clear roads and sidewalks.

Joe Rocca with Greater Sudbury said crews started plowing main thoroughfares at five centimetres of snow, while local or subdivision roads are cleared at eight centimetres.

“Our service standards are set to have all roads plowed within 24 hours after the end of a storm,” Rocca said.

“The snow just stopped late this morning so we’re well aware there are some roads that still need service, and some roads that had service will be serviced again.”

More than 80 pieces of equipment were used to clear roads by city crews and contractors. Rocca said getting everything cleared will take a bit of time.

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“We’d just love for everybody to have a little bit of patience,” he said.

“We are out there. The plows are continuing to move snow and we will get to every road throughout the community.”