Military personnel armed with shovels spread out across St. JohnB次元官网网址檚, N.L., Monday in response to calls from people still struggling to dig out from last weekB次元官网网址檚 unprecedented snowfall.
With a state of emergency set to extend into its fifth day Tuesday, travel remained difficult across eastern Newfoundland, and some residents were relying on each other for food.
Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy members were being deployed around the city Monday, where traffic was reduced to one lane between towering snowdrifts. Dump trucks hauling loads of snow shared the road with police vehicles, pickup trucks carting snowblowers and pedestrians stretching their legs after days of begin housebound.
The provincial capital is still reeling after FridayB次元官网网址檚 blizzard dumped 76 centimetres of snow amid winds gusting over 150 kilometres per hour.
With a few flurries in the air, a team of four green-clad soldiers chipped away Monday at a steep, buried driveway on Topsail Road, a task one of them estimated took a few hours.
A civilian passerby joined in with his snowblower, and the soldiers were encouraged by people in passing vehicles, who honked horns and shouted their thanks.
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Bill Ash, 70, said the sight of a clear driveway was a relief after being snowed in for four days.
B次元官网网址淚 was in quite a predicament until I saw our military men turn up this morning,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 really appreciate everything they done.B次元官网网址�
He said his daughter had tried to come by but couldnB次元官网网址檛 make it close to the house. Ash has a snowblower and made some progress himself near his side door before being overwhelmed by the volume of snow.
Gunner James Howie was part of the crew clearing his driveway, where only the antenna of AshB次元官网网址檚 car was visible under the drift of snow.
Howie said he joined the army three years ago partly out of a desire to help people during natural disasters, though this was his first time responding to a snowstorm.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an amazing community,B次元官网网址� Howie said of St. JohnB次元官网网址檚. B次元官网网址淓veryone IB次元官网网址檝e seen has either thanked us, honked the horn as theyB次元官网网址檙e passing and certainly cheered us on while weB次元官网网址檙e working.B次元官网网址�
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said 450 troopsB次元官网网址� including about 175 reservists B次元官网网址� will be in Newfoundland by Tuesday to help the province dig out from the storm.
B次元官网网址淲hen you have 175 reservists who at the same time live in the communities who are affected as well, going out and helping others, itB次元官网网址檚 something to be really proud of, of our reserves and how we come together,B次元官网网址� Sajjan said in Winnipeg where he was attending a federal cabinet retreat.
Sajjan said it is B次元官网网址漺ay too earlyB次元官网网址� to say how long military assistance will be necessary, but he said the troops will stay as long as theyB次元官网网址檙e needed. He also said more will be sent if necessary.
Meanwhile, the province urged neighbours to continue to check on seniors, people with disabilities and others at risk from days of being shut in without access to food stores or prescription refills.
B次元官网网址淚n many cases, the roads are still not safe to drive on, and emergency responders need unhindered access to provide emergency services,B次元官网网址� a release from the provincial Municipal Affairs Department said Monday afternoon.
The City of St. JohnB次元官网网址檚 announced its state of emergency would remain in effect Tuesday, but some stores will be allowed to reopen to sell B次元官网网址渂asic foods.B次元官网网址� Most other businesses have to remain closed, with exceptions for gas stations and some pharmacies.
The city advised residents to B次元官网网址渂e prepared to purchase enough food for your family for 48 hours. Future opportunities to open food stores during this state of emergency will be evaluated and communicated as conditions warrant.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Press
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