Schools in the St. John's region remain closed today, February 19, as cleanup efforts continue following a significant winter storm. The storm, which began on Tuesday, dumped between 50 and 60 cm of snow on parts of the metro region, prompting widespread closures and disruptions. The decision to close schools for a second day was made by the province's school board at 6 a. m. NT.
The storm has impacted various services in the region. Metrobus and GoBus services in St. John's delayed their start until 10 a. m.. Provincial government offices and all courts in the city were also closed in the morning, with updates expected later in the day. Newfoundland Power crews worked to restore power to thousands of customers affected by outages caused by high winds associated with the storm.
The RCMP issued a warning to the public regarding the dangers of pushing snow onto roadways, reminding residents that it is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. They emphasized that such actions can obstruct traffic, increase the risk of accidents, and delay emergency response vehicles. Environment Canada had issued an orange storm warning for the Bonavista and northern Avalon peninsulas, including St. John's, indicating anticipated damage or disruptions due to severe weather.
While the heaviest snowfall has subsided, periods of snow, flurries, or freezing drizzle are expected to continue throughout the day, making cleanup efforts challenging. Residents are advised to exercise caution and allow extra time for travel as the region continues to recover from the storm.
