If yesterday’s snowfall caught you by surprise, now is a great time to make sure you are prepared and ‘winter wise’ for the next one.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Dec. 22, 2020 – If yesterday’s snowfall caught you by surprise, now is a great time to make sure you are prepared and ‘winter wise’ for the next one.
Coquitlam crews have begun their winter response and will be working 24/7 with Public Works’ management monitoring the situation closely to mobilize additional resources as necessary.
When and if snow is falling, streets will be plowed according to the City’s priority routes system focusing on primary roads (arterials, collectors, bus routes and access roads to schools) with local roads and lanes only being plowed as resources allow. Check out Captain Public Works explaining our priority routes at www.bit.ly/CaptainPublicWorks.
Parking Restrictions During Snow Events
Coquitlam has implemented a number of parking restrictions to help City crews to plow streets clear of snow and ice in order to make the streets safer for winter driving. Parking restrictions are effective Nov. 1 to March 15, 2021.
In some areas, the restrictions are both sides of the street. Some restrictions are on one side of the street only. A third type of restriction is activated every time snow is in the forecast until the end of the snow event and the streets are clear.
In all cases, residents are expected to not park on the street - all vehicles should be parked in a driveway, garage, carport or other area of their private property. Coquitlam residents and drivers are asked to follow all posted parking restrictions. In addition to allowing our crews to make our streets safer, this will prevent drivers from having to dig out their vehicle, and avoid a ticket or towing.
Maps showing all areas affected by seasonal parking restrictions is available at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise under the Parking Restriction tab.
How to Know When the Parking Ban is in Effect
The City will advise when the parking ban has been activated in the following ways:
- Public Service Advisories to social media
- By email - we encourage all residents to sign up for the Winter Parking Restrictions email list using NotifyMe at www.coquitlam.ca/notifyme.
Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe and Comfortable
To minimize disruptions, please follow these helpful tips to be prepared:
Home and property
- Shut off your outside water to protect outdoor faucets and other plumbing from freezing.
- Assess your trees and trim dead branches to reduce the danger of them falling on power lines or your house during a storm.
- Clean the catch basin grates near your property regularly to prevent flooding. You can locate catch basins adjacent to your property at www.bit.ly/CatchBasinMap
- Have flashlights and extra batteries on hand.
- Consider an alternate safe heating system in case of power failures (not gas, propane or kerosene, which cannot be used inside) - make sure to follow directions.
- Clear your sidewalk and driveway by shoveling snow on the right side of your driveway as you face the road – this can help reduce the amount of snow that gets pushed back onto your driveway from a snow plow.
- If a snowplow approaches while you are out walking, move to the inside of the sidewalk and stay far away from the road while it passes.
- If you have a basketball hoop on the road (especially in cul de sacs) please move it onto your property to permit plows to clear the street properly.
Vehicle
- Take transit if you are not comfortable driving in the snow, or if roads are impassable or dangerous.
- Ensure your vehicle is winterized and in proper working condition. Drive only with good snow tires.
- Keep a small, portable emergency kit in your vehicle with food, water, extra clothing, first aid supplies and other necessities (download a checklist on the Winter Preparedness & Safety page at www.coquitlam.ca/winterprep.
Report Area of Concern
Residents can report any areas of snow concern through the Coquitlam Snow Response Request tool available at www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise. This tool enables information to be provided to City staff in real-time and facilitates a more efficient and effective response.
Be Winter Wise
Coquitlam’s Winter Wise program kicks into gear each winter to minimize the impact of snow, ice, storms and colder temperatures. While the City works to keep roads safe and reduce service disruptions, residents are encouraged to do their part. For more information, or for City updates during winter weather events, visit www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise or follow the City on Facebook or Twitter.
Media contact:
Brad Lofgren
Director, Public Works
604-927-6236
blofgren@coquitlam.ca