COQUITLAM, B.C., January 17, 2024 – As predicted, the snow arrived in Coquitlam at approximately midnight. As of 11 a.m., the snowfall remains quite intense, and is predicted to continue that way through most of the day. Most areas of Coquitlam currently have approximately 20 cm accumulation.
Further to last evening’s video update from our Director of Public Works, Brad Lofgren, Coquitlam’s Public Works crews were out all day yesterday and continued throughout last night. Since the snow started, they have been concentrating on our Priority 1 Main Routes and crew inspections have verified that most of our main routes are in good, passable condition, including many grades throughout the city. We currently have 17 trucks out on the roads, and three backhoes working on clearing tighter areas and responding to service requests for snow clearing. Areas of concern can be reported using Coquitlam’s real-time, online tool at coquitlam.ca/SnowResponse.
We are advised that Transit is slower than normal, but is active throughout the city. Despite our ongoing road-clearing efforts, the snow is currently coming down with great intensity, and motorists should expect winter driving conditions, even on our main routes. Vehicles not equipped for winter driving conditions are advised to stay off the roads.
Operational updates will be posted to the City website at coquitlam.ca/ServiceUpdate and shared on Coquitlam’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X) throughout the day.
Current service updates:
- Waste Collection
- All waste collection, including recycling services provided by Recycle BC, have been suspended for Wednesday, January 17. We will provide further updates and instruction later today pending an assessment of the weather impacts. Residents will be notified of collection disruptions through the City’s free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app.
- Residents can also visit coquitlam.ca/recollect to search their address and to sign-up for phone call or email alerts. Curbside recycling in Coquitlam is managed by Recycle BC, not the City. For recycling collection updates during winter weather, visit RecycleBC.ca/coquitlam and search your address.
- Facility Closures
- Centennial Activity Centre, Smiling Creek Activity Centre, and Summit Community Centre are all closed.
- Recreation Cancellations
- Some classes and programs have been cancelled; participants of registered programs will be called if their programs are cancelled, while those planning to attend a drop-in session are asked to phone and confirm whether the session will go ahead in advance of leaving their home: coquitlam.ca/RecCentres.
With more winter weather in the forecast throughout Wednesday, Coquitlam continues to respond to winter conditions and reminds residents of their responsibilities to be prepared.
- Avoid Non-essential Travel
- Everyone is urged to use caution, and to only drive if absolutely necessary and only if your vehicle has snow tires, which are made to handle snow, ice and lower temperatures. Consider taking public transit instead.
- Park on Your Property When Snow is in the Forecast
- When snow is in the forecast, do not park on the street. Parking in your driveway, garage, carport or other spot on your property ensures that our plows will be able to clear curb to curb. Coquitlam has activated its 'when declared' no parking restriction effective noon today, January 16. Visit coquitlam.ca/WinterWise and check the parking tab with details on restrictions and locations. If you live at any of the locations, 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.
- Stay off the Ice
- Park users are asked to stay off the ice on lakes and ponds as it is too thin and poses a severe safety risk. Despite current weather conditions, the ice is not thick enough to support people.
- Clear Catch Basins
- With the temperatures increasing later in the week and the long-term forecast for rain, residents are asked to help reduce the potential of flooding by clearing local catch basins of snow and debris. Use the City’s catch basin map at coquitlam.ca/AdoptACatchBasin to locate nearby catch basins.
Support for Vulnerable Individuals
The City of Coquitlam’s Bylaw officers, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue and other staff continue to check on vulnerable individuals, connecting them with outreach and other supportive services.
- Nightly winter shelter program operated by Progressive Housing Society and hosted at Tri-City churches through to April 15, 2024. Shelter includes a bed, warm meal, bagged lunch, support and referrals. Pets in a kennel are welcome. Pick-up starts at 8:45 p.m. Everybody is welcome, but walk-ups are not permitted – please call to arrange pick-up from one of three designated pick-up locations (Lincoln SkyTrain Station; Kingsway Ave, north side, at Jane Street near the bottle depot; and Pheasant Street and Christmas Way, south side of Superstore). Call 604-209-1587 between 8:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. or email: WinterShelterStaff@ProgressiveHousing.net
- Tri-Cities Emergency Weather Response are additional shelter spaces open when the weather feels like below zero, with heavy rain, snow and/or high winds. The Emergency Weather Response is also operated by Progressive Housing and is hosted at the Kyle Centre in Port Moody. Shelter includes a bed, warm meal, breakfast to go, support and referrals. Pets in a kennel are welcome. Pick up starts at 8:45 p.m. and drop-off is at 7:00 a.m. Everybody is welcome, but walk-ups are not permitted – please call to arrange pick-up from one of three designated pick up locations (Lincoln SkyTrain Station; Kingsway Ave, north side, at Jane Street near the bottle depot; and Pheasant Street and Christmas Way, south side of Superstore). Call 604-318-9876 between 8:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. or email ewrStaff@ProgressiveHousing.net.
- Tri-Cities Street Survival Guide – Developed by the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group, this resource is available at coquitlam.ca/StreetSurvivalGuide and lists available services to those in need, including clothing, food banks, shelter, laundry/shower services, and medical and/or additional help.
- Outreach Services – Operated by the Hope for Freedom Society under contract to BC Housing, outreach workers seek out homeless persons or those at risk of homelessness to connect them with available resources and services. More information is available at HopeForFreedom.org or by contacting 604-830-1528 or hffoa@HopeForFreedom.org.
Take Precautions and Stay Safe
Coquitlam’s Winter Wise program is aimed at providing a coordinated City response and keeping the community safe during winter weather events. The anticipated conditions can be hazardous, but there are steps one can take to prevent harm from exposure to the colder temperatures:
- Stay at home, unless you absolutely need to travel when weather conditions are bad.
- Dress appropriately for the inclement weather.
- Protect exposed skin and help prevent heat loss by wearing a hat, scarf, mittens or gloves.
- Choose well-insulated and waterproof footwear that has a thick, non-slip tread sole, a wide and low heel, and is light in weight.
Tips and information on how to stay safe during winter weather are available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/severe-weather/storms. PDF Guides are available in French, Simplifed Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.
All community members are encouraged to consult coquitlam.ca/WinterWise.
Media contacts:
Kathleen Vincent
Manager Communications and Civic Engagement
604-218-1319
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.