City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Wayne Preston does his best to help a friend who's car has been buried by a falling tree as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Wayne Preston does his best to help a friend who's car has been buried by a falling tree as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
City of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents like this scene in Bowness in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Heavy snowfall has hit the Calgary area and some kids took the opportunity to enjoy the snow. Photo via nicpod7315/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
via nicpod7315/QMI Agency
Fire crews work to clear trees from the roadway at 8th ave and 2 street in NW Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Fire crews work to clear trees from the roadway at 8th ave and 2 street in NE Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
City parks workers try to cut through branches surrounding this Toyota 4Runner which was spared significant damage as a large limb of the tree in front of a house at 3rd st. and 7th ave in NE Calgary, Alta. fell over, but not into the truck on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Ken Lowe can only throw his hands up in the air after his Toyota 4Runner was spared significant damage as a large limb of the tree in front of his house at 3rd st. and 7th ave in NE Calgary, Alta. fell over, but not into his truck on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
City parks workers try to cut through branches surrounding this Toyota 4Runner which was spared significant damage as a large limb of the tree in front of a house at 3rd st. and 7th ave in NE Calgary, Alta. fell over, but not into the truck on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Christian Vandermaas maneuvres his way through numerous downed tree branches that littered the road on 8th ave and 3rd street in NE on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Heavy snow on trees full of leaves caused significant damage throughout the city. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Fire crews work to clear trees from the roadway at 8th ave and 2 street in NE Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Thousands of trees throughout the Calgary area were down due to heavy wet snow on trees that were in full bloom resulting in traffic issues and damage. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Christian Vandermaas maneuvres his way through numerous downed tree branches that littered the road on 8th ave and 3rd street in NE on Wednesday September 10, 2014. Heavy snow on trees full of leaves caused significant damage throughout the city. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Calgary police were busy as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
A truck lies under a fallen tree during a summer snow storm in Calgary, Alberta, September 10, 2014. Roads are blocked with fallen trees, over 30,000 people are without power and the city has opened it's emergency operation centre in the city according to local media reports. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
Enmax workers were busy clearing lines as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
The city of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
The city of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
The city of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Calgary police were busy as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Calgary police were busy as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
Calgary police were busy as the city was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
The city of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
The city of Calgary was in chaos after more snow that resulted in power outages, trees down major traffic and multiple accidents in Calgary, Alta. on Wednesday September10, 2014. Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
Darren Makowichuk/Calgary Sun/ QMI Agency
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Digging out from a surprise summer snow storm that littered streets with trees and wiped out power to thousands could take days or even weeks to clean up, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said.
Thanks to a massive volume of snow - ranking among the only seven similar September snowfall volumes dating back to 1884 - and an abundance of leaves still on trees, thousands toppled to the ground creating carnage in neighbourhoods and to the power grid.
'Cleanup from this will take an amount of time measured in days if not in weeks,' Nenshi said, speaking at the city's Emergency Operations Centre, which also lost power as he was briefing reporters Wednesday, reiterating that during a Thursday morning update.
'This is not something that will be cleaned up by the next garbage pickup.'
While he wouldn't guess on potential damage, he acknowledged a price tag in the millions is 'probably a good guess.'
The city reports some 2,000 trees had collapsed onto roads and thousands more had fallen on private property, though the full extent of the damage wasn't known.
Environment Canada meteorologist Bill McMurtry said an unusual set of circumstances resulted in the chaos.
The lack of a killing frost combined with an accumulation of snow over a three-day period that places 2014 in the record books.
'It's pretty devastating - so many things came together to create something like this,' McMurtry said.
'This will go down as one of the hardest impacting snow events in the month of September for Calgary.'
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Fallout from the storm led to dozens of traffic lights on the blink, some 60 schools in the Calgary Board of Education without power, closures to pools, arenas, the Calgary Zoo and the suspension of the first day of the Spruce Meadows Masters.
The city also closed regional parks and pathways due to hazards from potentially falling trees and asked people to be cautious in public parks that remain open.
Fire chief Ken Uzeloc said since Tuesday his department has responded to 1,800 calls - about 10 times the normal volume - but noted the impact to individuals was relatively minor.
'We have no indications at all on injuries and certainly no indications of fatalities related to this event at all,' he said.
So called 'jumbo teams' of city crews - including officials from roads, water services and parks - fanned out to communities, clearing blocked roads and dealing with any obvious hazards.
'The primary focus has been to clear road right of ways, sidewalks, and public spaces,' said Dave Griffiths, the city's director of waste and recycling.
He added for those who can clear debris on their own, landfill tipping fees have been lifted while those who can't can place branches no more than four feet in length alongside trash bins for regular garbage pickup.
City officials on Thursday noted they've received more than 15,000 calls to its 311 line over the course of the storm, more than were placed during last year's flood.
And while power had been restored to the majority of Calgarians, some 1,500 were still left in the dark in isolated pockets throughout the city Thursday morning.
Enmax said additional crews were being brought in to Calgary to work through the backlog of calls.
By the numbers:
2,000 - Trees fallen onto city roads, thousands more on private property 30,000 - Enmax customers without power by 4 p.m. Wednesday 51 - Traffic signals not operational by 4 p.m. Wednesday 80 - Traffic signals repaired by 4 p.m. Wednesday 60 - Calgary Board of Education schools that faced power outages Wednesday 1,800 - Calls to the Calgary Fire Department over 24-hour period between Tuesday and Wednesday, about 10 times the normal volume 500-700 - Backlog of non-essential service requests to the city by noon Wednesday 5 - Leisure Centres and pools closed due to power outages 4 - Public arenas closed due to power outages Mobile users, click here for our live blog from the City of Calgary update
shawn.logan@sunmedia.ca
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