Freezing rain is expected to sweep through Niagara Tuesday, prompting warnings about slick roads, icy walkways and the risk of utility disruptions — and a reminder to homeowners to check what’s buried beneath the snow.
Environment Canada issued an alert late Monday morning, warning that several hours of freezing rain could bring one to two millimetres of ice beginning Tuesday morning and ending by afternoon. Hard-to-detect slippery roads and walkways and localized utility outages are possible.
The alert is in effect for Niagara Falls, Welland, St. Catharines, Grimsby, the southern and northern Niagara region, which includes Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The agency said freezing rain “may be mixed with snow or ice pellets at times” and is expected to change over to rain as temperatures rise. Those along the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines may see “very little” ice accretion or buildup.
It advises residents to continue monitoring alerts and forecasts.
Natural gas meters are built to withstand the harsh chilly season, but nonetheless, Enbridge Gas Ontario is urging residents to make sure their meters and appliance vents stay cleared.
It says unmaintained snow and ice can interfere with gas pressure regulation and pose “serious safety risks.” Blocked appliance vents can lead to “a dangerous buildup” of clear, odourless carbon monoxide inside the home.
“Clearing snow and ice from your gas meter and appliance vents is critical for safety,” said Chris Minor, manager of operations with Enbridge Gas Ontario, in a Jan. 5 public service announcement.
Minor said clearing them off keeps appliances working properly, avoids dangerous vent blockages and helps ensure emergency crews can access meters quickly — “especially in the event of an unforeseen emergency.”
To safely maintain home heating equipment, the utility cautions residents to use snow-removal equipment carefully to avoid damaging meters, not to pile snow against them while shovelling and to remove icicles above meters to prevent melting water from refreezing.
Residents who notice snow or ice covering a meter or vent are advised to clear it gently using a brush or broom and to avoid scraping, kicking or striking, or using sharp tools that could cause damage.
For more information, residents can visit enbridgegas.com/Ontario/safety/keep-your-meter-clear. If residents suspect a problem or cannot remove the ice themselves, they can call 1-877-362-7434.
For road conditions and traveller information, residents can check Ontario 511 online, on X at @511Ontario, or by calling 5-1-1. To report severe weather, residents can email ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
