The recent snowstorm in southeast Saskatchewan posed different challenges for communities, but local mayors in Lampman and Roche Percée are optimistic as they navigate the aftermath.
In Lampman, Mayor Scott Greening detailed the town’s ongoing efforts to manage snow removal following a heavy snowstorm compounded by mechanical issues with snow-clearing equipment. “Anyone driving a car in town should probably wait until we get the streets plowed,” Greening advised, noting that vehicles with higher clearance have less trouble navigating the deep snow.
Crews began snow-clearing operations Monday evening but had to pause overnight due to worsening conditions. By Tuesday, the equipment malfunctioned, further delaying efforts. "We had a mechanical issue with our fuel pump and are in the process of getting it repaired," Greening explained. He remains hopeful that the streets will be cleared within a day or two with additional support from local businesses with snow-clearing equipment.
Despite the setbacks, Greening emphasized the priority of keeping access open to vital areas like downtown and the hospital. “We’ve been in contact with surrounding businesses, and depending on their other commitments, we hope to have things cleared soon," he said. "I’m hoping the public will remain patient with us."
Looking on the bright side, Greening kept his sense of humor. “This is just typical Saskatchewan weather. We’ll work through it,” he said, recalling his experience managing past crises, including Lampman’s devastating 2011 flood.
Meanwhile, just to the west, Roche Percée Mayor Jay Reidel gave a more optimistic update. Despite early warnings of a severe storm, Reidel said the snowfall turned out to be more manageable than expected. "It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be," he said, adding that the village's location in the valley helped minimize the impact of snowdrifts.
Although the snowfall presented no major problems, Reidel sees the storm as a positive for the region’s environment and agriculture. "Our dams have been low the last few years, so this moisture will be something we’ll all be thankful for," he explained. He is hopeful that the moisture will contribute to healthy growing conditions for crops, which will help both local farming and recreation efforts.
As for snow clearing, Reidel acknowledged the village depends on outside resources. "We’re waiting for Estevan to finish before we can get a grader out here," he explained. Despite this, he maintains a positive outlook and expressed relief that the storm was not as disruptive as initially feared.
Both mayors highlighted their communities' resilience and the unpredictable nature of Saskatchewan weather, as they continue to manage the impact of the storm while looking ahead with optimism to the new year.