Thursday, January 11, 2024 – The District is sharing this notice from Environment Canada, impact Greater Victoria – including Sooke and advising the public of the opening of the extreme weather shelter.
Warming Spaces:
Locally, the extreme weather shelter is open at 6750 West Coast Road, 7 pm to 7 am. Anyone in Sooke seeking refuge from the cold is welcome.
Other public, but not overnight spaces, available include:
Emergency Program Services:
In the event of extended power outages, Sooke Emergency Services can assist. Please call 250.642.5422.
Neighbourly Connections – Identify a Winter Weather Buddy:
If you or someone you know lives alone or experiences mobility challenges in winter weather, make connections to find a winter weather buddy. Your buddy should be someone who can:
- help with shovelling snow
- help with running errands if you can’t leave your home
- Check-in with each other when winter weather arrives.
From Environment Canada:
The first Arctic intrusion of the year is on the horizon. When: Tonight to Saturday afternoon.
- Where: Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Fraser Valley and Southern Gulf Islands
- Hazard: Risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Wind chill value: minus 20.
- Remarks: Arctic air combined with strong outflow winds gusting to 60 km/h will generate wind chill values of minus 20 beginning on Thursday night. Wind chill values may moderate on Saturday afternoon but uncertainty remains on the timing of the warm-up. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors. Any skin exposure will result in frostbite. If outside, dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Cover as much exposed skin as possible to avoid frostbite.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.