COQUITLAM, B.C., November 2, 2023 – With colder temperatures and winter just around the corner, now is the time to make sure you are prepared and Winter Wise in Coquitlam.
Winter in the Lower Mainland can mean all kinds of weather – snow and ice or wind and rain that can cause flooding and power failures. While City crews are out in full force 24/7 during snow and winter events, residents also need to get prepared so they can manage severe weather impacts. Be aware, get prepared. Important information is available for residents at coquitlam.ca/WinterWise.
Parking When Snow in the Forecast
The City of Coquitlam’s snow plows cannot deliver their best service when cars are parked on critical roadways. When there is snow in the forecast do not park on the street. All vehicles should be parked in a driveway, garage, carport or other area of their private property – this applies to residents in secondary suites as well. Landlords must provide areas for their residents to park off the street.
Activated No Parking Restriction
The City has implemented a type of parking restriction that is 'activated' every time snow is in the forecast until the end of the snow event and the streets are clear. If you live in any of the locations listed below, the City will advise that the restriction has been activated via email to subscribers of our Winter Parking Restriction NotifyMe email – please subscribe to help prevent receiving a ticket and having your vehicle towed. The City will also advise via the City’s social media channels - please follow us.
- Blue Mountain Street
- Chilko Drive
- Corona Crescent in the Chineside area
- Dolphin Street
- Hamber Court and Pritchett Place on Burke Mountain
- Highland Drive
- Keets Drive
- Lansdowne Drive
- Solar Court
- Strawline Hill Street
- Westwood Plateau - Berkshire Crescent, Braeside Place, Chartwell Green, Firestone Place, Johnson Street (above David Ave.), Norwood Court, Parkway Boulevard (from Panorama Drive to Plateau Boulevard), Pinetree Way (above David. Ave.), Plateau Boulevard, Topaz Court and Turnberry Lane
If you live on Steeple Drive, please review the map on the Winter Wise webpage and note the area and restrictions from November 15, 2023 to March 15, 2024.
Winter Wise Tips
The following tips can help keep you and your family safe and comfortable, and minimize disruptions when and if Coquitlam experiences severe winter and snow events.
Home and Property
- Protect your home from falling branches by pruning dead branches and removing dead trees to reduce the danger of them falling on power lines or on your house during a storm.
- Shut off and drain your outside water to protect outdoor faucets and other plumbing.
- Isolate and winterize your automatic irrigation systems.
- Have flashlights, electric lanterns and extra batteries on hand, and make sure you have an emergency kit - download a checklist from the Winter Preparedness and Safety page at coquitlam.ca/WinterPrep.
- Consider an alternate safe heating system in case of power failures - not gas, propane or kerosene - they are generally unsafe for use indoors as they increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
- Clean the catch basin grates around your property regularly to prevent flooding.
- To determine where the catch basins are next to your property, you can view a map at coquitlam.ca/AdoptaCatchBasin. We also encourage residents and business owners to adopt a catch basin in their area.
Vehicle
- Take transit during snow events, especially if you are not experienced driving in the snow or if roads are impassable or dangerous.
- Have a mechanic winterize your vehicle and make sure it is working properly.
- If you choose to drive your vehicle, make sure to drive only with good snow tires. They are made to handle snow, ice and lower temperatures better than winter-rated, all-season tires.
- Slow down and drive for road conditions, leaving yourself more time to reach your destination.
- Keep a small, portable emergency kit in your vehicle with food, water, extra clothing, first aid supplies and other necessities - download a Grab-and-Go checklist from the Winter Preparedness and Safety page at coquitlam.ca/WinterPrep.
Family and Friends
- Make arrangements to help loved ones prepare for winter, especially those who live on their own, have limited mobility, or may require assistance. During an extreme snow or ice event, you may not be able to get to their home like you can during normal circumstances.
- Don’t let important prescriptions, supplies or foodstuffs run low in case the weather prevents you from getting out.
- When heading outside, wear warm clothing and solid shoes or boots with good traction.
When it Snows
- During a snow event, City roads and civic properties are plowed and cleared according to a priority system that supports public safety and public transportation access. To find out what priority your street is, visit coquitlam.ca/WinterWise.
- Report areas of concern using our real-time Snow Reporting Response Tool available at coquitlam.ca/SnowResponse.
- As a responsible neighbour and citizen you are required to clear all the sidewalks around your property within 10 hours of the snow stopping as per the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 4853, 2018, Section 3, Snow and Ice Removal.
- When shoveling your sidewalk please do not shovel it onto the roadway. We recommend shoveling the snow onto your yard to the right of your driveway when facing the road to ensure that the plow does not push the snow back onto your sidewalk and driveway.
- While you are out walking, if a snowplow approaches, move to the inside of the sidewalk and stay far away from the road while it passes.
Be a Good Neighbour
- Volunteer as a Snow Angel and support those who may need a bit of extra help in the winter months - full details at coquitlam.ca/SnowAngels.
- Help your neighbour clear their catch basin, shovel their sidewalk or move their garbage carts – especially if they are elderly or have limited mobility.
Curbside Collection in Winter Conditions
- In the event of wintery road conditions, there may be delays or temporary cancellations of waste collection services.
- During a snow event, residents should continue to place materials out for collection on your scheduled collection day, ensuring containers are visible and accessible for collection crews.
- If your material is missed due to weather disruptions, collection crews will attempt to return the following day.
- If collection is still not possible, missed material will be collected the following week on your next regularly scheduled collection day.
- Download the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app or sign-up for phone call or email notifications to get instanst, property-specific service disruption alerts – details are at coquitlam.ca/recollect.
- Curbside recycling in Coquitlam is managed by Recycle BC, not the City. For recycling collection updates during winter weather, download the free Recycle BC app or visit RecycleBC.ca/Coquitlam.
Media Contact
Brad Lofgren
Director, Public Works
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.