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“Even if the additional resources and assistance comes in, it will still be many months before public spaces are cleared of all damaged trees,” said Bowman. “I just want to stress that because we want to manage expectations with our residents that this is going to take some time and a lot of resources and we’re all as Winnipeggers going to have to demonstrate a lot of patience with the cleanup that is taking place.”

It’s estimated that approximately 30,000 City-owned trees were impacted by the recent snowstorm. While all areas of the city were impacted, core areas and mature neighbourhoods have a higher risk level due to the size of the trees.

Photo by Kevin King / Kevin King/Winnipeg Sun

On Monday, Winnipeggers took advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday to remove fallen trees from their properties while Manitoba Hydro and City contract crews worked to clear branches and fallen trees around power lines.

“It’s going to be steady because you can see it’s like a war zone,” said Robert Weiss, owner of Long Term Growth Tree Services as he cleared a yard on Wellington Crescent. “Every property or every other property has trees down and branches busted.”

“Residents are reminded to be mindful of crews working on roadways,” said Shaw on Sunday. “If a tree is blocking a roadway, or if crews are on a roadway working, please refrain from driving through the site and do not drive around them on medians or boulevards. The safety of our city crews are paramount.”

Residents are advised that if a tree is in contact with a power line, to call 911 immediately. If a tree is blocking a public right-of-way including a road or sidewalk, but isn’t touching a power line, residents are advised to call 311.

Residents are advised not to leave fallen trees or branches from private property on the public boulevard. Instead, residents are advised to bring tree and branch debris to the Brady Road Resource Management Facility or to one of the City’s 4R Winnipeg Depots to dispose of them free of charge during operating hours.

– with files from Kevin King

gdawkins@postmedia.ca

Twitter: @SunGlenDawkins