Weather Ready

Storm drains:

Heavy rainfall can cause flooding, so please remember to clear catch basins near your home. Remove leaves, branches, and other debris to prevent flooding on your street.

Driving:

Whether it’s light showers or a torrential downpour, rain can also make driving dangerous. Here are some tips for staying safe behind the wheel:

• Slow down. Posted speed limits are based on driving in ideal conditions, not on wet roads.
• Maintain a proper following distance. More distance is required for stopping safely in wet weather.
• When starting from a stop on slick roads, start slowly and accelerate gradually.
• Make sure your tires are in good shape (with lots of tread) and your windshield wipers are in good working order.
• Turn on your headlights, even in the daytime.
• Avoid hydroplaning – sliding uncontrollably across a wet road surface – by slowing down and driving with tires that have adequate tread. If you start to slide, ease off the accelerator slowly, and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go.

Although windstorms are not frequent in the Metro Vancouver area, it’s best to be prepared, as they can be hazardous and cause a significant amount of damage. Winds that reach 70 kilometres per hour or more are capable of breaking large tree branches, or uprooting or breaking entire trees, which can lead to power outages, property damage, and blocked roads.

Before a storm:

• Be informed. Check weather forecasts via radio, television, websites, and social media.
• Make sure your emergency kit is always ready and easily accessible.
• Prune dead branches from trees, and cut down dead trees. A certified arborist can check tree health and help with pruning or removal. If a tree on municipal property looks like it might be a hazard, please call City of Port Moody Operations at 604-469-4574.
• Identify places where you and your family can shelter.

• Tie down anything that might be blown away by the wind, such as garden furniture, garbage cans, etc.

During the storm:

• If you are indoors, stay there, and stay well away from any windows, exterior doors, or fireplaces.
• Avoid using an elevator, in case of a power outage.
• If you are outside, head indoors as quickly as possible. Never take shelter under a tree, in case of falling branches or lightning.
• If you are in a car, stop the car away from trees or power lines that might fall on you. Avoid the base of steep or unstable slopes, and low areas prone to flooding. Stay inside the car until the danger passes.
• Boaters should avoid being on the water and ensure their boats are secured.
• If you are indoors, you can use a cell or cordless phone, but stay away from land-line telephones with cords in case of lightning.
• Report power outages to BC Hydro by calling 1 800 BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376), or *HYDRO (*49376) on your mobile phone.

After the wind dies down:

• Check your property for damage, and clear away debris from rain gutters and catch basins. Watch out for broken glass.
• When walking around outdoors, look up to check for hazards. Broken tree branches may hang dangerously overhead.
• If you see a downed or damaged wire, call 9-1-1 and ask for Fire. Always assume a downed or damaged power line is live, and stay back at least 10 metres.
• Report fallen trees, branches, and other debris on municipal property by calling City of Port Moody Operations at 604-469-4574 or submitting a report a problem form.

• Continue to check radio, television, websites, or social media for updated information or instructions, as access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked.
• Be a good neighbour. Help people who may require special assistance, such as parents with small children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

ICBC recommends the use of winter tires for driving in snow and ice. Keep in mind that all-season tires can begin to lose their elasticity and grip on the road at temperatures below 7°C. If you plan to change your tires, make arrangements before winter weather conditions arrive.

Winter driving tips (courtesy of Shift Into Winter):

• Drop your speed to match road conditions.
• Watch for black ice. Accelerate and brake slowly.
• When stopping, plan well in advance, apply the brakes gently, and slowly add pressure rather than braking suddenly.
• Avoid sudden moves. Slow down and steer smoothly and gradually to avoid skidding.
• Know how to handle a skid. Ease off the brake or accelerator, and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go.
• See and be seen. Always drive with your headlights on.
• Be extremely cautious when approaching highway maintenance vehicles, such as snow plows and salt or sand trucks. Maintain a safe following distance.

Snow and ice removal

When it snows, the City works to clear travel routes in a priority sequence, plowing and salting major roads, transit corridors, and connector routes, as well as particularly hazardous areas. The City also works to clear high priority sidewalks, including pedestrian bridge crossings, walkways that provide access to transit centres, and walkways around civic facilities like the Recreation Complex, Works Yard, City Hall, and Inlet Centre Fire Hall.

Residents, strata corporations, and businesses are responsible for removing snow or ice from sidewalks and curb letdowns bordering their property within 24 hours of a snowfall or storm event (Bylaw 2426). Owners of private property along Priority Pedestrian Routes are required to clear adjacent sidewalks of snow and ice by 10am every day.

Please visit portmoody.ca/snowandice to learn more about snow and ice removal, including a map of priority routes. 

Please be a good neighbour. By clearing the sidewalk adjacent to your property in a timely manner, you can help pedestrians, particularly people with mobility issues, children, and users of public transit, get around town safely. Please help others who may need assistance with shovelling snow.

Snow shovelling tips:

• Use the shovel to push snow to one side rather than lifting it. If lifting is necessary, bend your knees to take the strain off your back.
• Pace yourself by removing small amounts of snow frequently instead of removing a large pile all at once.
• Do not shovel snow from sidewalks or driveways onto the road, as this creates more work for snow plows and may result in a plow pushing the snow back onto your driveway. Instead, face your house and pile the white stuff to the left of your driveway (on your property, not on the road or sidewalk), as this gives you a better line of sight to approaching traffic.
• Spread sand, rock salt, or kitty litter on your sidewalk or driveway to increase traction and reduce accidents.

Has someone helped you out by shoveling snow? Nominate them to be a Snow Star.

Here are some other ways you can help during or after a snowfall event:

• avoid driving if possible, particularly on very steep or winding roads;
• avoid parking on public roads so that your vehicle does not obstruct snow removal equipment;
• clear any drains near your property, as blocked catch basins can cause flooding, or lead to excess water along the road area (which can become dangerous if it freezes); and
• clear snow from nearby fire hydrants, as hidden hydrants can cost first responders valuable time in an emergency.

At home:

• When colder than normal temperatures are in the forecast, there is a possibility that water service connections may freeze.  If you experience a loss of water during cold temperatures and suspect that their water service connection may be frozen, you should contact a plumber.
• Outdoor plumbing should be winterized or wrapped in insulation, especially hose bibs. You can help warm plumbing by opening cabinet and shower doors or letting faucets run at a light drip to prevent freezing.

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can happen to anyone (regardless of age or fitness level) who stays in the summer heat and sun for too long. Follow these tips to prevent heat-related illness:

• drink plenty of cool fluids — this is the most important step you can take;
• avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day;
• seek out air-conditioned spaces whenever possible;
• know the humidex rating — it combines the temperature and humidity to indicate how hot, humid weather feels to the average person;
• wear a hat and light, loose clothing so that air can circulate;
• apply sunscreen if you are heading outdoors, as sunburned skin reduces the body’s ability to cool itself;
• slow down your activities as it gets hotter;
• if you do need to be outside when it’s hot, take a lot of breaks in a cool or shady area to let your body cool off; and
• don't leave children or pets in hot vehicles, no matter how short the stop.

If you begin to feel tired, dizzy, or nauseated, or if you develop a headache, get out of the heat immediately. Seek out an air-conditioned building, and drink water. Seek emergency help if you continue to feel unwell, particularly if you experience confusion, faintness, or hallucinations.

The City opens a cooling centre when Environment Canada issues a heat warning for the Metro Vancouver region. A cooling centre is an indoor public space set up temporarily as a place where people can sit down and take a break from the higher temperatures experienced outdoors or indoors in spaces without fans or air conditioning. We will post a notification on our News page when we open up a cooling centre to help vulnerable residents cope with a heat wave. Please note that small pets are permitted but dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Fraser Health provides additional tips for staying safe in the sun and beating the heat.

Health Canada has several resources on heat for specific at-risk groups:

• Seniors: It's much too hot! Protect yourself from extreme heat
• Parents: Keep children cool! Protect your child from extreme heat
• Athletes: You're active in the heat. You're at risk! Protect yourself from extreme heat

Healthy BC has several resources on heat related illness and protection:

• Emergency first aid for heat stroke
• Extreme heat preparedness guide
• Heat related illness