Latest news with #icestorm
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Pricey ice storm cleanup ongoing in Simcoe County
Tree companies continue to work at a feverish pace to get the cleanup job down after the March ice storm that crippled the county. 'We're just driving around removing trees that are storm damaged... We've been very busy. It's been a busy two months,' said George Paddock with Kodiak Tree Services. While crews continue to take down trees in Barrie, now at 4,500 and counting, homeowners are encouraged to do one last check of their yards for brush and other storm-related debris before the city carries out it's final pickup. 'Drag everything out to the curb and we hope to have the contractors do a one or two week run throughout the city and do their final clean ups,' said Dave Friary with the City of Barrie. And the cleanup hasn't been cheap. Now estimated at over $12 million in Barrie alone. The final pricetag is expected next week. Many city trails still need to be cleaned and people are asked to stay off the ones that are closed until further notice. 'If you have a hanger up in the tree and it falls on somebody - that's the last thing we want,' said Friary. In Orillia, the cost for storm cleanup is pegged at about $7.5 million, with the majority of the job now completed. After help from government, the mayor said the city would be looking at a bill of about $1 million. 'There are some places where arborists can't get to because of the volume but most of the trees have already been cut down and put to the curb,' explained Mayor Don McIsaac. The city's last debris collection for property owners should be done by the end of the week. Residents of Orillia and Barrie still have the opportunity to drop-off brush at the landfill free of charge until Saturday.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
After costly ice storm cleanup, Orillia explores ways to improve winter maintenance
The gates to the Saint. Andrew's - Saint. James' Cemetery in Orillia remain locked nearly a month after a devastating ice storm swept through the region on April 23, 2025. (CTV News/ Rob Cooper) Just months ago, the City of Orillia approved a half-million dollar investment for tree rescue and replanting, marking the beginning of the city's recovery from the devastating March ice storm. Now, Orillia is asking how it can improve its winter maintenance. A working group was established early last month and came up with 19 recommendations for the city to adopt. That includes enhancing communications, expanding its slow plowing fleet, and even driveway clearing support to some residents in Orillia. On Monday afternoon, CTV News asked Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac what caught his attention. His response focused on the city's Business Impact Analysis (BIA) about the possibility of assuming downtown winter upkeep. 'I'm wondering why they do that. Why doesn't the city just take that over? That's a conversation we have to have with them. I mean, there may be a good reason why they want to do it, but I think the city has all of the equipment and people, stuff in place to do it. So that's probably something we could look at.' He said. 'Roads and sidewalks we're looking at expanding the fleet. Do we need more equipment or not? The problem with the equipment is you have it, and you need it for one or two days a year, and then you don't need it. So we need to look at it very carefully.' Ice storm damage provincial parks A destructive ice storm has created significant damage at provincial parks in the Orillia area. (Source: Ontario Parks) Council has directed staff to assess the feasibility of these recommendations, with a further report to be included in budget deliberations. Earlier this month, council approved the $500,000 in funding to plant new trees, remove damaged and fallen trees and tree stumps from public parks hit the hardest by the storm, including Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park, and J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park. The funding was allocated from the City's Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve. But with the city spending more than anticipated to keep up with the challenges of the harsh winter, it remains to be seen what the city can actually adopt. With files from CTV News Christian D'Avino. Related Articles:
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
DOGE cuts to weather balloon sites leave U.S. without crucial data, some meteorologists say
Detroit — When the National Guard has to be called out for an ice storm, as was the case in Northern Michigan at the end of March, the situation is dire. At the time, meteorologists couldn't forecast just how much of the region would be encased in ice. "While it [the forecast] showed devastating ice, it ended up still being worse than expected," said Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News Detroit's chief meteorologist. Up to 1.5 inches of ice accumulated across large portions of Northern Michigan, knocking down power lines, blocking roads, and damaging homes and businesses. Last month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested federal disaster aid. Bajjey said he was working without National Weather Service data he usually counts on. "We couldn't get true real-world data as often as needed," Bajjey said. At least 13 of nearly 100 balloon sites were cut or reduced when the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, took aim at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration earlier this year. Two of them, one in Michigan and another in Wisconsin, left gaps in data. Those gaps could have helped during the March ice storm, as well as last week, when dangerous thunderstorms and tornadoes hit Wisconsin, meteorologists say. There have also been cuts in places like the Rocky Mountains in the western U.S. and "Tornado Alley" in the central U.S., where storms get started and move east. One balloon site was also eliminated in the Florida Panhandle just days before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. For the past 100 years of U.S. weather forecasting, there's no better substitute to weather balloons, meteorologists say. Associate professor of meteorology Dr. John Allen teaches future meteorologists at Central Michigan University. He also studies how artificial intelligence can improve forecasts. But he says the data received from weather balloons is irreplaceable. He showed CBS News a device used to communicate with a weather balloon. "So what this device is doing is reporting back every couple of seconds as we look through the whole column of the atmosphere," Allen said. His research in AI cannot make up for a lack of air pressure and moisture data collected by balloons. "If we have clouds, satellites really don't tell us much about what's actually happening," he said, explaining why weather balloons are essential and their data cannot be duplicated by satellites or radar. Dr. John Allen, right, associate professor of meteorology at Central Michigan University, teaching students how to use and collect data from a weather balloon. May 2025. CBS News In a statement to CBS on News Friday, a NOAA spokesperson defended NWS forecasting. "The National Weather Service is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and life-saving forecasts despite speculation," the spokesperson said. "Through strategic transformation, staff reallocation, and updated service standards, NWS is ensuring resilience and continuity of mission-critical functions. Reports suggesting otherwise are false and disrespectful to the many weather scientists who work tirelessly to produce the best weather data in the world." In the meantime, some meteorologists like Bajjey say they have no choice but to make do with new limitations. "This is about public safety," Bajjey said. "It's every single forecast, every warning, every alert, and every update. And this is where it comes from." In an open letter published earlier this month, five living former NWS leaders issued a warning about the impact of staffing and program cuts to the NOAA. "Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life," the letter said. "We know that's a nightmare shared by those on the forecasting front lines - and by the people who depend on their efforts."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
DNR warns Memorial Day weekend travelers to be aware of lingering ice storm damage
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — With Memorial Day just a few days away, Northern Michigan is preparing for an influx of visitors eager to enjoy the beaches, trails and historic downtowns of the region. But, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is advising visitors to be aware of lingering damage from late March ice storms. A Tuesday, May 20 press release from the DNR said 'the unprecedented damage in some areas may be shocking' to those who haven't seen it yet. More: Whitmer submits major disaster declaration request for Northern Michigan ice storm While all state park campgrounds and overnight lodging locations in affected parks have reopened, some day-use areas like boating access sites and park trails could still be closed. Anyone planning to hike on area trails during their visit should also be aware of broken branches and leaning trees. Many limbs are stilling hanging overhead and hikers should be aware of their surroundings. More: 'A heavy lift': Fund launched to help Northern Michigan farms recover from ice storm damage According to the DNR, the ice storms affected nearly 1 million acres of state forest land, including 3,400 miles of state forest roads, 19 state parks, 54 state forest campgrounds, 169 boating access sites and 3,260 miles of trails. Efforts to fully clear all areas of storm debris are still ongoing. 'Crews have been working hard to reopen forest roads and trails and repair state facilities, and they've made a lot of progress so far,' said Kerry Heckman, public information officer for the DNR Ice Storm Response Team, in the press release. 'We know everyone wants to get outside to enjoy Michigan's great outdoors, and we want that, too. But it's critical to use caution, steer clear of closed areas and be fully aware of your surroundings.' For safety updates and closure information, visit the DNR's Ice Storm Response page. — Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@ This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: DNR to Memorial Day weekend travelers: Be aware of lingering ice storm damage in Northern Michigan
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Whitmer requests major disaster declaration after northern Michigan ice storm
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has submitted the formal request to seek federal assistance on behalf of those impacted by the Northern Michigan ice storm of March 28-30. "The ice storms in March hit Northern Michigan hard, and we need a major disaster declaration from the federal government to help families, small businesses, and communities recover and rebuild," Whitmer said in her announcement Friday. Specific requests include direct help for homeowners and renters in the area, and reimbursements to local governments, tribal agencies and eligible non-profit groups for their repair and cleanup costs. The request will be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will make a recommendation to President Trump on whether a disaster declaration is warranted. Surveys by state officials and FEMA representatives to collect information and data for preliminary assessments that took place April 22-May 2. The ice storm damage was caused by accumulations of up to 1.5 inches of ice across a large section of Northern Michigan. The storms knocked down power lines, blocked roads, and damaged homes and businesses across the northern lower and upper peninsulas. The State of Michigan quickly granted an emergency declaration that directed state resources to the response. "After the storm, I'm proud of the way that Michiganders came together, like we always do. I'm grateful to the first responders, the line workers, and the countless kind-hearted neighbors who went the extra mile to help those in need. Now, we need to get resources out the door and into people's pockets as fast as possible," Whitmer said. "I already brought this up in my meeting with the President, and I hope he approves our request." "The response and recovery from this event required tremendous cooperation and support from locals, the state, volunteer agencies, and private industry," said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. Whitmer also asked for an Emergency Declaration after meeting with President Trump, which would authorize up to $5 million in immediate public assistance to support emergency efforts, including debris management needs.
