As the city of Vancouver’s Public Works crews are preparing for winter conditions, city staff urge residents to take their own precautions for managing freezing weather.
The mixture of rain and snow that appeared in Vancouver on Monday night will become more common as the season progresses, according to the National Weather Service. Although this week’s brush with winter resulted in no snow accumulation, residents should already be taking precautions when driving.
Ryan Lopossa, Public Works transportation and streets manager, said drivers should begin prepping emergency kits for their vehicles that include food, blankets and warm clothes. It’s equally important to drive cautiously and be aware of black ice.
“If you don’t have to be on the road, stay home and stay warm,” he said.
Public Works crews have begun pretreating and deicing vulnerable spots throughout Vancouver such as bridges and shady spots, Lopossa said. The city has mixing stations in east and west Vancouver where crews combine coarse salt with water, so they remain well stocked throughout the winter.
There aren’t enough resources to tend to all of Vancouver’s 1,900 miles of paved streets, so staff must prioritize certain areas to keep main roadways operable and maintain public safety. High-priority streets are major connectors between the public and medical services. Crews also prioritize snow bus routes, hills and areas surrounding schools.
The city employs a multi-use fleet, which means trucks and equipment are used throughout the year to fill potholes, pave, and perform other maintenance and repairs. In the winter, crews convert the vehicles with plows and applicators to correspond with the icy, snowy conditions. This makes the city’s response cost effective and efficient, Lopossa said.
Public Works staff will remain on call to clear roads when emergency access is needed for the Vancouver Fire Department and Vancouver Police Department, as well as the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency. If there is an urgent problem, residents can contact Public Works at 360-487-8177.
What residents should be aware of
Residents and businesses are responsible for clearing snow and ice on sidewalks near their property, as well as private parking lots and driveways. The city encourages people to lend a hand to their neighbors who may need assistance.
However, residential streets may not be plowed or deiced due to obstacles posed by multiple driveways and parked cars.
Homeowners should disconnect garden hoses and insulate water pipes near outer walls, in crawl spaces, in basements, in garages and in attics to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
Garbage, recycling and organics collections may be impacted by winter conditions. Residents can sign up for service alerts and other notices through a device by using the RecycleRight app. Having spare containers to hold extra garbage and recyclables is also recommended.
