As the emergency management response to the recent blizzard concludes, the provincial emergency operations centre will begin shutdown as of tomorrow (Tuesday, January 28).

As a result, the emergency operations centre phone number (709-729-3703) will no longer take calls for assistance related to the January 17 snowstorm. The line will continue to be used for afterhours assistance for emergency management organizations. The Canadian Red Cross provided a temporary, additional phone line to assist with logging the many calls that came in during the storm cleanup. Operations of this temporary line have also concluded.

The public is advised that they should contact their municipality or normal service provider if they require information or assistance with municipal services. As always, in an emergency call 911.

While emergency response operations have largely wound down, snow continues to be removed and cleared in municipalities. Residents are advised to exercise the utmost caution in navigating high snow banks, limited shoulders, and narrowed roads. If public transit is available, residents are encouraged to take the bus. Keep in mind that students are heading back to school and to drive slowly and carefully.

The Provincial Government continues to work closely with emergency management partners and organizations and is always ready to respond. As life begins to get back to normal for those affected by the storm, residents are encouraged to prepare for more winter weather. Find more information about how to be ready and for winter driving safety tips, visit www.getprepared.ca.

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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca