Several schools were closed in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island on Wednesday as Maritimers continued to dig out from the latest winter storm.

The powerful storm brought snow and freezing rain to the region, resulting in slick roads and sidewalks.

Moncton and southeastern New Brunswick bore the brunt of the snow, with more than 20 centimetres accumulating overnight in some areas.

By 10 a.m. Wednesday, many clearing crews had been going full-tilt for more than 12 hours.

“Last night our snowblower was in the shop, so we used the snowblade,” says Moncton hospital groundskeeper Jeff Bourque. “It’s challenging trying to get through some of the drifts.”

Hazardous travel conditions took a toll in New Brunswick, with several vehicles ending up in the ditch and a 64-year old man being killed when his vehicle went through a guard rail near Salisbury.

Moncton firefighters say it’s been a busy 24 hours and they're feeling the impact of the difficult conditions.

“After snowstorms, banks get higher, visibility issues can be a challenge for firefighters, along with turns radiuses that can be comprised because of a narrower street,” says Chief Eric Arsenault of the Moncton Fire Department.

While many Maritimers were aware of the incoming snow, Fredericton was surprised with a late snowfall warning from Environment Canada, promising a lot of snow in a short amount of time.

Arsenault is asking the public to pay special attention to fire hydrants as they dig out.

“Contractors typically do it with a tractor, so they plow both sides, but they don't necessarily take all of the snow that's on a hydrant. When you have freeze-thaws, like we're expecting in the next little while, that fluffy snow can become a cake of ice in no time,” says Arsenault.

The wintry weather is also impacting flights at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Some flights were cancelled and many were delayed Wednesday morning.

Many schools in New Brunswick and all schools in Prince Edward Island closed, while Canada Post halted P.E.I. mail delivery until conditions improved.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.