Tuesday, February 12, 2019 ~ WEST SHORE
~ by West Shore Voice News
Another 15 to 25 cm of snow did indeed fall overnight in the west shore area of south Vancouver Island, from Monday February 11 overnight into Tuesday.
This is the second day declared as a ‘snow day’ by all school districts in the south island area (SD62 called their snow day for west shore and Sooke schools last night), and the second day that municipalities, businesses and organizations are delaying or cancelling any meetings, business activities or events.
Snow at this depth and over this many days (the first dump came on Friday February 8) is not a regular winter thing in the Greater Victoria area. While municipalities and their contracted services have snow removal equipment, the sheer magnitude of several large snowfalls accumulated over now five days is proving a challenge for road maintenance and transportation options.
BC Transit buses are running, but with delays, detours, and incomplete service in some areas.
The City of Langford says safety is their top priority for residents, employees working in Langford, crews working 24/7 to clear our roads, and first responders. “We ask residents to stay at home, businesses to limit all non-essential vehicular activity, and those on the road to respect winter conditions and your fellow travellers until this current storm event ends.”
To help keep streets clear, Langford residents are asked to park their vehicles in garages and driveways. Do not block cul-de-sacs or turnarounds which are used by the plows to maneuver on the streets.
Langford City Hall remains open, but will only have limited staff available on Tuesday, February 12. If you have an emergency please call 911, if you have a non-emergency issue please email it to engineering@langford.ca or call Langford’s general line at 250-478-7882. The City will be closely monitoring the situation throughout the day and will provide updates accordingly.
The “long period of snowfall with total expected amounts of 15 to 25 cm” from last night now continues with another 5 cm in the Environment Canada forecast for today.
Since Monday afternoon 10 to 20 cm of snow has accumulated over Vancouver Island with higher amounts near Victoria.
Update [2:30 pm]: Periods of snow will continue this afternoon with further snow amounts up to 5 cm expected.
The snow is expected to ease late today. However, flurries are possible tonight with an upper trough moving across the region.
Drivers are asked to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
HIGHWAY DRIVING: Please be advised that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is enforcing mandatory chain up for commercial vehicles with inspections in place northbound on the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) at West Shore Parkway and southbound on the TCH at the Bamberton Hill. Commercial vehicles without chains will be turned around.
ALL ROADWAY DRIVING: All drivers be advised that winter driving conditions exist. Use caution. Leave lots of room between vehicles. Stay home if you do not have to travel. Conditions are expected to worsen as the day progresses.
URBAN PARKING: In urban areas park vehicles in your driveways or garages to allow plows to maneuver better on local roads.