Ice storms and major storms

If possible, postpone your non-essential travel. Do you need to hit the road? Give yourself more time to complete your journey and plan to leave earlier. It is essential to adjust your driving by reducing your speed and increasing the braking distance.

Major Storm

A storm is considered major or exceptional when extreme and potentially dangerous weather conditions are expected:

• Heavy snowfall of more than 60 cm;
• Heavy snowfall of more than 45 cm, combined with freezing rain, strong winds, intense cold, or blizzard conditions.

Here are some tips for dealing with the storm:

During the storm

In the event of a major winter storm warning, it is recommended to stay home as much as possible.

If you are already outside or absolutely must go out:

• Favor public transportation;
• Dress warmly and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia;
• Be cautious of falling ice chunks and power lines that may fall under the weight of ice;
• Be vigilant on snowy sidewalks that may be partially obstructed;
• Wear shoes with good traction;
• Ensure you are visible to motorists when crossing the street.

If you must travel by car:

• Make sure to have an emergency kit in the car;
• Fully de-ice your vehicle before hitting the road;
• Favor main roads, which are prioritized in snow removal operations;
• Inform your loved ones of your route and expected arrival time;
• Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Never use cruise control on snowy or slippery roads;
• Be mindful of pedestrians;
• Make sure to keep a distance from snow removal vehicles.

In case of a problem with your vehicle:

• Stay inside your vehicle, even if it is immobilized due to snow, ice, or poor visibility, unless you can take shelter in a nearby building;
• Turn on the interior light when it's dark to be more easily visible to rescue teams;
• Occasionally start your engine to avoid draining your battery;

Home safety instructions

• Have your 72-hour emergency kit within reach;
• Avoid overusing heating systems and lower the temperature in unoccupied rooms;
• Avoid overloading electrical circuits with heaters and portable radiators;
• Avoid using baseboards to dry clothes;
• In case of a power outage, never use propane, gas, gasoline, or charcoal heaters indoors as they pose a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ice storms and Significant Snow Accumulation

Fallen Trees and Branches

Tree branches can break and fall to the ground due to an accumulation of ice or snow. Here are some guidelines to follow if branches fall on your property:

• Do not handle fallen branches, please wait for a professional to intervene.
• There is no need to contact the City to inform us that branches have fallen.
• Call the Inspection — Public Safety Service at 514-630-1234 if the situation is dangerous or requires immediate assistance from the City's public works service.
• If a branch or tree touches power lines, contact Hydro-Québec or emergency services at 9-1-1.
• You can also send your question or concern to the city through the Voilà! Signalement app or contact Pointe-Claire public works at 514-630-1230, tp@pointe-claire.ca

Power Lines on the Ground

If you see power lines on the ground, do not approach and call 911 immediately, so that the area can be secured.

Power Outages

If you are affected by a power outage, refer to the tips for dealing with a power outage. You can check Info-pannes to monitor the situation.

After a Winter Storm

• Be cautious when traveling: the road may still be slippery.
• Remember to clear snow from the emergency exits of your home and check the amount of snow on the roof as well as on your vehicle.
• If the electricity was out for several hours, check the quality of perishable food in the refrigerator and freezer.