January 15, 2020 Snow and Ice Conditions

STATEMENT - Distributed January 15, 2020 7:15 AM

7:00 a.m.: Winter driving conditions persist throughout Nanaimo this morning.

City Crews were out last night and were able to move into secondary routes and some residential areas prior to the heavy snowfall around 4am. City crews remain focused on keeping emergency and priority routes clear and will only move onto to secondary and residential once the snow subsides.

Weather forecasts are predicting a large amount of snow for today to Thursday. If at all possible, please consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca

Be prepared for the storm and possible power outages. Check out BC Hydro for tips on preparing for winter storms and outages.

Please help pedestrians travel through our community safely. Property owners and tenants (residential and businesses) are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their property. The City clears sidewalks in front of City facilities, on bridges, the Waterfront Walkway and E & N Trail.

Garbage/Recycling Collection

Garbage/Recycling collection has been cancelled for Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Once we get through the storm, we can better assess how the City will accommodate for missed collections. Periodic updates will be posted on the City of Nanaimo website and on our social media platforms. Download the free Nanaimo Recycles app for up to date information on curbside collection. Find links to the app on the Garbage and Recycling Calendar page on the City website.

Warming centre open

A warming centre at the 7-10 Club (285 Prideaux Street) will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 15, 16 and 17. The City of Nanaimo thanks our partners at the 7-10 Club and the Salvation Army for their help with this short-term initiative.

Parks, Recreation and Culture

UPDATE 1 pm: All recreation facilities are open. Due to current conditions; however, all registered recreation programs scheduled for this morning are cancelled. Registered programs and drop-in sessions are running this afternoon, however there have been many cancellations based on instructor availability. We are doing our best to contact those individuals registered in cancelled programs. There may be some adjustment of services at our facilities based on staffing levels. If conditions continue to worsen facilities may close with short notice. Please contact our switchboard if you have any inquiries regarding your programs or rentals: 250-756-5200. We will provide an update at 3pm for evening programs.

Groups with facility rentals are encouraged to notify Parks, Recreation and Culture if you are cancelling. Please call 250-756-5200.

Stay up to date with conditions on the City's website, Twitter feed (@cityofnanaimo) and Facebook page. For up-to-date information on public transit, follow @RDN_Transit on Twitter. Please also listen to our local radio stations the Wave 102.3 or Wolf 106.9.

Visit our Snow and Ice Control page for information on the City's response to snow and what residents and commuters can do to stay safe.

Committee Meetings

The environment committee meeting scheduled for tonight 5-7 pm in the board room, SARC, has been postponed to Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 5-7 pm in the HR Training Room, City Hall.

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