Cape Breton was among the areas hardest hit by Saturday’s storm, where 40 centimetres have already fallen in Baddeck and central areas.  

Sydney got off a bit easier, with about 25 centimetres falling by 5 p.m. but it was still enough to shut down the city for most of the day.

Sydney’s main streets were mostly empty Saturday, as people hunkered down to wait out the storm.

Area resident Marvin O’Neill dug his vehicle out early, but he wasn’t going far.

“I usually go the mall, bounce around a bit, but not today. I was just heading to the store to get my paper. That’s about it for me today.”

Store owner Sandy Russell braved the worst of the storm to clear the drifts in front of his downtown shop.

“Very little on the roads today, and there’s going to be very little in the cash register.”

The blizzard battered the Island the hardest Saturday morning, as wind-whipped snow created near whiteout conditions and poor visibility. Among the only signs of life were snow plows and emergency vehicles.

“We’ll probably be out here until midnight tonight,” says snow plow operator Andrew Green. “Then back at ‘er at 4 in the morning.”

A local homeless shelter that typically only takes 10 people at a time is open to anyone who needs it over the weekend.

Police called in extra patrols and are urging people to stay inside.

“Stay off the roads if you don’t have to be out there,” says Cape Breton Regional Police Const. AJ MacIsaac. “If you do have to venture out on the roads, make sure you’re prepared. Bring a cellphone and some warm clothes.”

Highways and mains roads are mostly passable with caution, but plenty of side streets remain blocked as people wait to be plowed out.

As the snow began to taper off in the afternoon, many residents ended their hibernation and started digging out.

“We’ll probably build a fort, have a snowball war,” says 12-year-old shoveller Jeffrey Grant.

While the storm may have eased a bit, it’s not over; more snow is expected to fall on the Island Saturday evening, accompanied by high winds.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald