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Updated: Snow Update - January 17, 2024

Update (5 p.m.): Crews have been able to clear Priority 1 routes and made their way to Priority 2 routes. In addition, they will be prepping the roads overnight for tomorrow. It is expected to freeze tonight, which will mean icy conditions for the morning commute, especially on hills. More snow is in the forecast for tomorrow, so winter driving conditions are going to continue until at least the weekend. We will provide an updates on garbage/recycling collection and Parks, Recreation and Culture programs/facilities in the morning.

Update (3 p.m.): An update from Parks, Recreation and Culture:

  • Oliver Woods Community Centre, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Beban Pool, Beban Social Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre, Frank Crane Arena, Cliff McNabb Arena, Bowen Complex are open
  • Drop-in for swimming and the weight room at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre is available
  • Drop-in for skating, pottery and Oliver Woods sports are canceled for the remainder of the day
  • Facilities are open for rentals
  • All afternoon registered programs are canceled
  • Further updates for Thursday's conditions will be posted early Thursday morning on the Parks, Recreation & Culture page on the City website and on the City of Nanaimo Facebook page.

Nanaimo received 20-30 cm of snow overnight and it is continuing to fall. The snow is expected to stay around until it warms up over the weekend, which may create flooding. Residents are asked to help prevent flooding by clearing any catch basins or storm drains in front of their homes and businesses. If flooding occurs, sand and sand bags for filling (bring a shovel and ties) are available at the Public Works yard. To report flooding, please call Public Works 24-hour hotline at 250-758-5222.

On the Roads

A total of 17 trucks and 2 backhoes have been out clearing and salting priority routes since last night. Crews will continue to work through the city to clear and salt roads based on priority. As the snow falls, crews will focus on clearing priority routes and once the snow stops, will make their way to other routes. If possible, please avoid driving today so our crews can clear the roads. 

Drivers, if you have to be on the roads today, be prepared for winter driving conditions, plan your route accordingly and drive according to conditions:

  • slow down,
  • avoid steep hills and find an alternate route,
  • give other vehicles lots of room,
  • have patience for other drivers,
  • make sure your vehicle is winter ready with winter-rated tires
  • clear the outside of your vehicle of snow and ice, and
  • pay extra attention for pedestrians and cyclists.

If you are walking and cycling, please make sure vehicles can see you by wearing high visibility clothing and, if possible, a light. Pedestrians, please make sure vehicles have come to a complete stop before you cross the street.

Please make sure to give City plows plenty of room to work as they may make wide right turns or other unexpected movements to clear snow and spread salt. 

Victoria Rd. remains closed to all but local traffic between Needham and Rainer for ongoing investigations related to a sinkhole forming.

Find more information on the City's response to Snow and Ice.

Garbage and Recycling

Due to unsafe driving conditions, scheduled garbage and recycling collections have been cancelled.
 
For residents with missed collections, the City will accommodate for extra recycling and garbage collection. Residents with missed recycling collection will be able to put extra recycling out on their next scheduled recycling collection day. Similarly, for missed garbage collection, residents will be able to put extra garbage out on their next scheduled garbage collection day.
 
Recyclables: When putting out extra recyclables on your next recycling day, please place them in an easy-to-empty reusable container or tote if possible, and place this 1 metre behind or beside your blue cart when you take it to the curbside for pickup. If a reusable container or tote is not available, a cardboard box may be used. The volume of extra recyclables put out must not exceed the capacity of the blue cart and the size of the container used must not be greater in width than the blue cart.
 

Garbage: When putting out extra garbage on your next garbage pickup day, please place your bag (up to two) 1 metre to the side or behind the black cart (not in front) and ensure that they are tied. An extra garbage bag cannot exceed 60 litres in capacity and must not weigh more than 25 lbs.

The City continues to monitor road conditions and will be updating the City’s website and the Nanaimo Recycles app (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store). 

Stay up to date with Garbage and Recycling collection.

Parks and Recreation

All Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities are open, but morning programs are cancelled. We will provide an update on the status of afternoon/evening programs when the information becomes available.

Please do not venture out onto local lakes as they are not completely frozen.

    Please use caution in Nanaimo's parks. Trails, boardwalks, bridges, stairs and playground equipment can become slippery and hazardous when there is snow and ice.

    If cancelations or closures do occur, you can check before you come. Stay up to date with Parks, Recreation and Culture.

    Around Your Home/Business

    To help avoid flooding, please clear ice, snow, leaves and debris from catch basins and storm drains in front of your property. If flooding occurs, sand and sand bags for filling (bring a shovel and ties) are available at the Public Works yard. To report flooding, please call Public Works 24-hour hotline at 250-758-5222.

    Thank you to residents and businesses who clear sidewalks in front of their properties. 

    Please do your best to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of your property within 24 hours, so that pedestrians have a safe place to walk and can stay clear of oncoming traffic. Please do not shovel snow onto the road. If you know of someone who may need a helping hand, please reach out to them. 

    The City clears sidewalks around parks, bridges, commuter trails and major City facilities as quickly as staff can get to them. Parks operations has 9 pieces of snow clearing equipment and 1 shovel crew out today. 

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