The weekend snowfall in the Tri-Cities kept city crews and cops busy keeping roads clear of snow, ice and fender benders.
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam had staff applying brine to roads on Friday in anticipation of the white stuff, which started falling in the evening, with workers rotating through around the clock throughout the weekend.
Dan Mooney, Coquitlam's manager of roads and traffic operations, said there were no problems over the weekend but black ice remains a concern.
"Some of the local roads also have compact snow where there isn't a lot of traffic," he added. "Now we're taking advantage of the break in precipitation and the warmer temperatures and really focusing on sidewalks, bus stops and intersections with wheelchair ramps, that kind of thing."
Westwood Plateau was hardest hit with snow but Mooney said the entire city got a coating, from Maillardville to the northeast.
Port Moody spokesperson Leslyn Johnson said city crews focused on priority routes Friday night and Saturday morning. Heritage Mountain was hard hit with about 18 cm of snow, compared to just 5 cm at sea level. The city has already topped up its road salt and brine supplies in anticipation of this week's snow.
PoCo spokesperson Pardeep Purewal said staff worked throughout the weekend implementing the city's snow response plan and everything went smoothly.
"The city is preparing for a week of cold with more snow forecasted, and crews are working today [Monday] on residential streets, cul-de-sacs, parking areas and bus stops as the temperature warms above freezing," she wrote in an email.
"We appreciate the patience and caution of our residents when driving in snow conditions and ask that they watch for pedestrians and extend a helping hand... to those that need it."
But not everyone heeded the adverse conditions.
Const. Bill Kim of Port Moody Police Department said officers were dealing with a "more than average" number of accidents over the weekend.
"People have to be aware that with decreased temperatures, the roads are extremely slippery," he said. "Even though the roads may look clear, there's always the danger of black ice."
Kim cautioned drivers to check their tires, decrease their speed, increase the distance between them and the vehicle ahead and ensure lights are clear of snow and ice. He also said drivers should use "common sense" and find an alternate route around particularly dangerous spots like Clarke Road.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung reported 14 car accidents on the weekend.
One incident involved a woman pushing her baby in a stroller on Schoolhouse Street near Austin Avenue on Saturday. She had been walking on the street, apparently because there was too much snow on the sidewalk, when she was hit from behind by a vehicle's side mirror. The driver waited for police to arrive and is facing charges under the Motor Vehicle Act. The woman suffered scrapes and bruises.
On Monday afternoon, a small school bus full of students flipped over in PoCo; fortunately, nobody was injured.
Also Monday, power went out for about 9,000 customers across Coquitlam. Lights were back on by the evening.
School District 43 has a snowfall warning in effect and is reminding parents to monitor the district's website (www.sd43.bc.ca) for school closures. Assistant superintendent Dan Derpak said facilities staff have been working with city crews throughout the weekend to get schools throughout the Tri-Cities ready for the week.
Bus routes are checked at 3 a.m., with closures posted on the district website and at radio station CKNW by 4 a.m.
Derpak compiles weather information from a number of sources and decides by 6 a.m. which schools, if any, will be closed for the day.
"Every parent also has the complete right to make the decision around their own local neighbourhood," he added. "If they think it's dangerous, they can keep their kids at home and we'll work around it."
Snow and freezing temperatures are expected to continue until Friday, according to Environment Canada, with rain and higher temperatures predicted for the weekend.
