City salt trucks continue to battle the latest storm that is dumping a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain on Windsor roadways.
Crews have been out since 6 p.m. Tuesday trying to de-ice main streets.
Since the freezing rain began, there have been numerous crashes across Windsor-Essex and Detroit Metro Airport was closed for 14 hours. The icy conditions also kept school buses off the roads.
Executive Director of Operations Dwayne Dawson tells AM800 News salt trucks are focused on roads that are used the most.
"We have 21 individual plows and 21 routes that are pre-determined throughout the city, they incorporate our EC Row Expressway, all of our arterials, collector roads and transit bus routes," says Dawson. "We take care of those throughout the event in its entirety."
A Special Weather Statement issued by Environment Canada warns that 25mm of rain could fall by Wednesday evening.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority has also expressed concerns about potential flooding in the region due to the snow melt and rain.
"Depending on how the temperatures go and the rain, we may pull off the roads while the temperatures are above freezing and roads are just wet." Dawson adds, "Temperatures fall below zero and we'll be back out there to ensure we minimize any icy areas that do start to form."
The city uses 15,000 tonnes of salt in a full winter season.
Dawson is also asking for residents to help clear plugged catch basins to prevent flooding.
“We’re keeping an eye out for catch basins to ensure they can take in the water as it thaws, but if residents living near a catch basin can also check to see that it’s clear, that would be helpful.,” says Dawson. “Blocked catch basins can lead to localized surface flooding.”
Residents are encouraged to call 311 if they see a basin not working properly.
Motorists are also asked to be aware of large pools of water on roadways, both for safety reasons and to avoid splashing pedestrians on the sidewalks.
Residents should also make sure drainage on their property is clear including downspouts, eaves troughs and yard drains to help protect against flooding.