Toronto paralyzed as record snowstorm leaves cars buried and commutes in chaos
Toronto is digging out after a record-breaking snowstorm left the city buried under nearly a metre of snow in places. Residents faced chaotic commutes on Tuesday, with some journeys taking three times longer than usual due to clogged roads and towering snowbanks.
Sunday's storm dumped 46.2 centimetres of snow at Pearson Airport in just 24 hours, making it the snowiest day ever recorded there. Some neighbourhoods saw even higher totals, with drifts reaching 90 centimetres deep. The heavy snowfall forced the city to issue a warning on Sunday, urging people to stay home.
By Tuesday, the aftermath became clear as drivers struggled through gridlocked streets. Ashley Bleau, a local resident, described her usual 20-minute commute turning into an hour-long ordeal. Kendra Bilewicz, another Torontonian, spent half an hour crawling along Kingston Road just to take her children to school. City manager Paul Johnson admitted past problems with communicating snow removal plans. He asked residents to help by clearing their cars and sidewalks. Crews will begin removing snow from residential streets on Wednesday, starting with one side of the road before possibly returning for the other. Towering snowbanks—some taller than cars—have made movement difficult for pedestrians and drivers alike.
The city now faces the task of clearing massive snow piles while residents adjust to disrupted routines. With more snow possible this winter, officials are working to improve response times and keep roads passable. Residents have been advised to stay patient as crews tackle the cleanup.
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