Quebec pounded by winter storm, premier acknowledges need for better response

Heavy snow continued to fall Wednesday as Quebec emergency crews struggled to cope with a fatal winter storm that paralyzed traffic and left hundreds of motorists stranded in their cars overnight. (Photo: Gilles Douaire/Flickr)

MONTREAL—Heavy snow continued to fall Wednesday as Quebec emergency crews struggled to cope with a fatal winter storm that paralyzed traffic and left hundreds of motorists stranded in their cars overnight.

Environment Canada said southwestern, central and eastern Quebec remained under storm warnings after more than 35 centimetres of snow were dumped on Montreal by early Wednesday morning.

One commuter, Sergio Barile, said he and his wife finally made it to their home in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough at 2 a.m. Wednesday after a nightmarish eight-hour commute with a toddler.

Barile said he left his home at 6:45 p.m. to help his wife, who was stuck on the road only about two kilometres from home with the couple’s 21-month-old daughter, Layla.

“We were one exit from the house but nothing was moving,” said Barile.

He said they were lucky both the couple’s vehicles had enough gas but the experience was very stressful.