City of Vancouver in full snow response with 10 or more centimetres expected

WITH possible snow accumulations of up to 10 centimetres expected on Tuesday, the City of Vancouver says its crews are once again on full snow response.

Staff and equipment are concentrating on priority routes, which include main roads, bus routes, bridges, priority hills and the 15 most-used bike routes. Since Sunday, crews have been pre-treating priority routes in anticipation of possible snow.

The City says residents and business owners can play a big role in ensuring snow doesn’t become hazardous for people with mobility challenges. It’s important that snow is cleared promptly from walkways and sidewalks before it hardens to ice. 

All property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from sidewalks around their property by 10 a.m. after a snowfall, seven days a week.

Those who are able to help their neighbours clear their sidewalks are encouraged to sign up for the Snow Angel Program. The Snow Angel program helps match volunteers with seniors and people with mobility issues to help clear their sidewalks. Sign up as a Snow Angel.

Warming centres and additional shelter spaces are open

In response to the predicted extreme weather, the City has opened four warming centres and encourages anyone who might be sleeping outside to visit one of these centres which allow people to bring their carts and pets.

Powell Street Getaway, Britannia Community Centre, Vancouver Aquatic Centre and the Overdose Prevention Site opened Monday night and will also be open Tuesday evening, providing hot drinks and a warm space for people to rest.

So far this winter, the warming centres have been visited on more than 4,500 occasions. Due to increased City of Vancouver funding, Powell Street Getaway has opened more frequently this winter, opening when the weather is 0 degrees instead of the previous threshold of -5 degrees.

The Province, in conjunction with Homelessness Services Association of BC and community organizations, opened additional shelter spaces on Friday in response to an extreme weather alert and these remain open.