Be prepared!
In anticipation of a significant amount of freezing rain forecast for Wednesday, March 11, our teams are mobilized and on the ground to apply abrasives on roads and sidewalks, clear catch basins to promote proper water drainage, and monitor the condition of trees and branches in order to intervene if needed.
In addition to making roads and sidewalks extremely slippery, freezing rain accumulation can also lead to power outages. During the freezing rain event, please remember to:
- Avoid non-essential travel, regardless of the mode of transportation
- Adjust your driving to road conditions if you must travel
- Charge your electronic devices and locate your flashlights
- Avoid walking under trees whenever possible and safe to do so
- Park your car in the garage
- Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with essential items
Additional resources:
Prepare for power outages: Québec.ca/poweroutages
Road conditions: www.quebec511.info
Follow the City’s social media for updates: Facebook | Instagram
Register to the City’s Notices and Alerts service: ville.ddo.qc.ca/en
Register to the City’s newletter: ville.ddo.qc.ca/en
Questions and Answers
An emergency kit allows you to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency situation. Learn how to assemble your 72-hour kit.
City teams are mobilized to ensure the safety of the road network. Around seventy employees are ready to be deployed to:
Spread abrasives and de-icing salt on streets and sidewalks
Clear catch basins to prevent water accumulation
Monitor the territory to identify potential hazards, such as broken branches, fallen trees, etc.
Interventions are prioritized based on road conditions and needs.
If possible, avoid non-essential travel during the ice storm. If you must drive:
Adjust your driving to the conditions
Reduce your speed
Keep a greater distance between vehicles
Allow extra time for your trips
A few simple actions can help the teams:
Avoid parking on the street when possible to allow City maintenance vehicles to pass
Keep your collection bins off the sidewalk or roadway to avoid interfering with City operations
Be cautious near maintenance vehicles
Spread salt on your driveway to prevent slips
Never approach electrical wires. Contact Hydro-Québec immediately at 1-800-790-2424.
Move away immediately and call 911. A downed line may still be live, even if it is not sparking.
Public works teams are already patrolling the city to collect branches fallen on the road. If the situation represents an immediate danger, you can call 911.
Trees on public property are managed by the City for pruning or removal as needed. After the ice storm, once it is safe:
Stack large or long branches along the curb without blocking the sidewalk or roadway
Orient cut sections toward the street
Cut branches into 6-foot sections and make small bundles
Branches up to 4 inches in diameter will be chipped on-site; larger branches will be collected by truck. City crews do not collect branches from backyards.
For more details: Branch pickup
If the tree is on private property, it is the owner’s responsibility to hire a pruning or tree removal service, after obtaining a private property tree removal permit.
If the tree blocks the street or touches electrical wires, contact:
Hydro-Québec if electrical wires are involved
911 if there is an immediate danger
- Email a photo showing the entire damaged tree to arbo@ddo.qc.ca, specifying the address and a phone number where you can be reached.
- If the photo clearly shows that felling is required, the permit will be issued by email promptly.
- If an inspection visit is necessary to assess the tree, an inspector will come to your home. You will then receive a response by email indicating whether or not a felling permit has been granted.
Report outages directly to Hydro-Québec at 1-800-790-2424 or via their website.
Check regularly:
The City’s website
Sign up for the City’s Alerts and Notices service
Subscribe to the City newsletter
