Sundre hits new record at -40 degree Celsius

Sundre broke a new record of – 40 degree Celsius last week. The last record was – 36.4 degree Celsius in 2009.

A blizzard that came through town caused vehicles to get stuck in the snow, and event and transportation cancellations, but no reported motor vehicle collisions in town.

Sundre RCMP Cpl. Ryan Hodge said members of the detachment only attended one accident, which was not a result of the weather.

The operator of a pickup truck failed to stop at a stop sign approaching Highway 27, east of Sundre, and was hit by a semi truck when he drove onto the highway.

He was travelling southbound on Rge. Rd. 45 and the semi truck driver was travelling eastbound on Highway 27.

The driver of the pickup truck was sent to hospital and later released with no injuries. Charges were laid for disobeying a stop sign.

“The highway was shut down for probably two hours,” said Hodge.

He confirmed that the condition of the road was not a factor.

All school buses in Sundre were cancelled Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week. There was no school on Friday.

The Sundre High School and River Valley School Christmas band concert that was scheduled for Wednesday evening was postponed.

“It's typical winter driving in Canada. You just slow down and take your time. Be prepared for extra long stops,” said Hodge.

“Your stopping distance increases dramatically when you're on the ice.

“Winter tires are a good recommendation of course and otherwise just having your vehicle prepared for the winter – warm clothing, blankets, that kind of thing – in case you do get stranded somewhere.”

Jim Hall, acting director of operational services with the Town of Sundre, said staff members started plowing snow as soon as possible after the storm hit between the evening of Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.

“We had two snowstorms before this that were easily manageable, but then this one really kicked us,” said Hall.

“We were prepared that there was going to be extra snow, so we had the equipment ready and actually started doing some of the priority ones, like our main thoroughfares. We started cleaning during the blizzard just to reduce the amount of impact.”

There are four staff members available to clear snow in town and they were working 12- to 15-hour days last week.

“We basically have to use different terms of hours. Business district has got to be before 8 a.m. so we can beat traffic, but residences we try to do during the day when there is less traffic, less cars parked, people are going to work,” he explained.

“Our biggest problem is everybody is a priority. So trying to sort out the ones that are just upset because of the storm and the other ones that are upset because they have medical things they've got to get to,” he said.

“We do everything in town. It just depends on the safety of the streets. So if you go down a street and it's bumpy – yes, people don't like bumpy – but if it's clear and we can sand it and it's passable, then we go on to the next priority and then go back to get those.”