Sunday’s snow dump was roughly on time and as deep as Environment Canada predicted.
And now, with the possibility of more snow at the end of this week, the cities are urging people to clean their catch basins and help elderly neighbours with shovelling and setting out and retrieving waste carts.
Gerri Briggs-Simpson, Coquitlam's community services manager, said the city has only five people signed up to be snow angels but 25 homes have requested shovelling, most of them on the city's west side.
"This year, through social media, we are also encouraging neighbours to get out and 'be a snow angel' in their neighbourhood, assisting a neighbour who is elderly or needs support by shovelling the walkway in front of their home," she said.
The big concern now is clearing catch basins to allow melting snow a chance to drain.
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam said staff are working to clear catch basins after streets have been plowed, with the help of backhoes and other equipment, but they're asking residents to pitch in where they can.
Not sure where the catch basin is on your street? Both cities have an online map (www.coquitlam.ca/winterwise or www.portcoquitlam.ca/) with a catch basin tool to see where they're located under mountains of snow.
Residents are also being reminded to not shovel snow on to the road and, instead, pile it on their lawn or beside their property to help with snow and catch basin clearing.
If there is still snow on the sidewalk in front of your home or business, keep in mind that it's your responsibility to clear it within a day after the snowfall.
PoCo's Pardeep Purewal said the city is hearing from concerned residents that many areas haven't been cleared, making it difficult for pedestrians and in particular those with mobility issues, strollers or scooters.
For those who didn't take time off for Christmas, Monday proved to be a nasty commute.
Tri-City residents reported long drives to work, transit delays and a West Coast Express stoppage because a tree had fallen on the tracks. (Both Coquitlam and PoCo staff also saw some branches come down as the snow gets heavier but no significant damage has been reported.)
But it wasn't all bad news; Jennifer Kastelein gave a Facebook shout-out to a driver who picked a few people up at the bus stop at Como Lake and Gatensbury in Coquitlam and drove them to work.
"I couldn't get out of my area due to the amount of snow that fell," reported Gillis Kastelein, who works at the Tri-City News' sister paper, the Burnaby Now.
Cities were also reminding people that it may not be possible to plow or widen snow-clearing on residential streets if vehicles are parked on the road.
"Residents are reminded to park their cars in their driveways if possible to allow crews to plow the widest path possible on the street," Purewal said. "Do not park in cul-de-sacs."
"Parked vehicles impede snow plows," added Coquitlam's Kathleen Vincent.
Don't have snow tires? It's best to stay at home — the melting snow and rain will likely bring ever deeper puddles on the roads while cooler temperatures expected by Friday could mean icy conditions overnight.
And for those hoping for a white Christmas, Environment Canada is predicting a 60% chance of rain showers or flurries on Christmas Eve.
• More information about Coquitlam's snow angel program is at www.coquitlam.ca/snowangels. To participate, email [email protected] or call 604-927-6909.
