Monday, January 8, 2024 – As winter descends upon Sooke, the District is gearing up to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents with cold weather road preparation and providing emergency preparedness reminders for snow-related incidents.
What happens when cold weather is forecasted?
Contracted road crews work around the clock pre-treating our roads with an anti-icing brine to reduce potentially hazardous conditions. The anti-icing brine can stay on the road for a number of days helping to reduce the bonding of snow and from ice freezing to the pavement providing a safer driving road surface.
Which roads are cleared of snow first?
When a lot of snowfall is likely, the contractors commit to ensuring priority (high volume) routes are safe and passable. In some weather events, although best efforts will be made to complete at least one pass of side streets, this is not always possible.
Victoria Contracting clears roadways – starting with critical routes such as:
- bus routes
- school zones
- critical intersections.
Staffing levels and equipment supply can impact the availability of servicing roads. Victoria Contracting strives to reach every municipal road within 48 hours, but their first and foremost responsibility is clearing these critical routes. In some weather events, only priority routes may be addressed.
Should resources allow crews to address local roads, local roads may be plowed to accommodate single-lane traffic only during the first pass of the plow. This is a temporary measure, and if the weather is not likely to warm, the roads may be revisited and cleared more substantially once priority routes are reasonably maintained.
Sidewalks
Residents and business owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks that border their property. Please be a good neighbour and help to keep Sooke safe by keeping walkways clear.
How else you can help when we experience snow
- Please do not drive if your vehicle is not equipped for winter driving.
- When clearing driveways, help snow plow crews out by not shovelling snow toward the road. As they navigate clearing, they are constantly adjusting the plow to minimize pushing snow into driveways and getting salt on cars. Let’s do our best to work together.
- Clear catch basins as the snow melts.
- Check in on your neighbours and see if they need assistance, and how you can support them.
Emergency Preparedness for Snow-Related Events
Refer to the Severe Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide from PreparedBC as a help resource to under more about winter weather risks and help you plan ahead.
Residents are reminded that winter tires are required for travel west of Sooke on Highway 14 and, in the event of snowfall, it is important that you only drive should you be comfortable, and your vehicle is equipped to do so.
“Snowfall isn’t as common in Sooke as it is elsewhere in the country, so it’s understandable that many might not be confident driving in such conditions. Making use of Transit or talking with your employer about remote work options in the event of adverse weather conditions are things to consider when it comes to household and individualized emergency planning,” says District of Sooke Emergency Program Manager Jason Humphries.
Extreme Weather Overnight Spaces
Sooke Shelter Society supports overnight spaces, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The opening of the extreme weather centre is announced daily during events through the Sooke Shelter Society, as resources are confirmed.
Looking to request more snow removal resources?
If snow clearing is a priority for you, communicate the need for additional resources through the Annual Budget Survey available mid-June to mid-August each year. Generally, we have heard from those who participate in this survey and through budget information stations that resources can be better utilized elsewhere.
In extreme weather conditions, it takes the entire community to ensure our well-being and safety. Thank you for working with us to navigate this weather event together!
Community Contact:
District of Sooke Reception
Tel: 250.642.1634
Email: info@sooke.ca
Media contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634
Email: cmoog@sooke.ca