From piles to puddles: Toronto still cleaning up from snowstorm

As Toronto warms up, snow and icearemelting around the city and some residents are bracing for potential flooding.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a flood watch Monday night, warning that water levels could continue to rise as temperatures stay above freezing.

Meanwhile, somesidewalks were still covered in heavy snow on Monday, several days after amajor snowstorm.

"We're still out there clearing up from the storm," said Mark Mills, Toronto's superintendent road operations.

Rising temperatures meanpossible flooding, and Mills saidcitycrews were out all weekend uncovering around 1,100 catch basins andremovingsnow from about 233 km of roadway.

"We'llcontinueto work on thatuntil...we can clean this up."

The conservation authority said rivers in the GTA will see higher flows and water levels,creating "hazardous conditions."

Water levels for the Don River near the Don Valley Parkwayare "steadily rising and nearing flooding conditions," the authority said.

Seniors 'stuck inside'

StellaDaskalakissaidthe sidewalk near her mother's east-endhome has been covered in thick snow for days, despite city promises to clear it.

She said the snowy sidewalks meanelderly residents in the neighbourhood can't leave their house.

"My mom is a senior with a walker. She hasn't been able to do groceries, errands, anything," saidDaskalakis,

"She lives right beside a seniors home. Everyone is stuck inside because this is the main street that goes up to the grocery store, to the shopping malls, to thebus stop how are they supposed to get there?"

City asks for patience

Since the storm on January 29, Millssaidthe city hasanswered 5,000 complaints to 311.

"We are a little bit behind," Mills said, urgingpeople to be mindful of their neighbours.

"Please...exercise some patience. We will eventually get to all of thosecomplaints."

Mills said allpropertyowners have a responsibility to clear the sidewalk in front of their property.

He saidpeople cancall 311 if they notice an area has not been cleared.

Take steps to prevent flooding

With the potential for flooding, homeowners should shovel melting snow away from their foundation and onto a lawn, said city staff

Make suredownspouts and eavestroughs are clearand draining properly, the city said,and clear catch basins on the road.

The conservation authority said people should be extremely cautiousaround all bodies of water, and avoid driving on flooded roadways or in low-lying areas and underpasses.

"Persons should stay well away from watercourses, even if they appear to be frozen over," its website says.