VANCOUVER — Vancouver Public Works Operations street crews spent the night plowing and clearing streets, laying down deicer as they went. Those round-the-clock efforts to keep Vancouver’s major streets passable will continue through the day Thursday.
Currently, the city’s priority routes that connect public safety and emergency service remain open. Drivers who venture out can expect mostly a hard snow base or slushy conditions on major streets. The eastside of Vancouver, which was subject to the strong winds Tuesday when the snowfall began, appears to have fared slightly better in this current wintry weather event. Devine Road, from East Mill Plain Boulevard to East 18th Street, and Four Seasons Lane, between Northeast 18th and 23rd streets, were the only major streets closed as of 4 a.m. Thursday.
Neighborhood streets and side streets, which do not get deiced or plowed due to demands of keeping major streets open, remain covered with snow and difficult to travel.
Residents are encouraged to avoid driving if possible. Those who do venture out should drive for winter weather conditions and be prepared for slick areas. Please go slowly and allow additional room to stop and for others to do the same.
Many sidewalks are slick and covered with snow, and drivers should keep an eye out for pedestrians as a result. Property owners are responsible for keeping adjacent sidewalks open. Residents are encouraged to lend a helping hand to neighbors where needed. When clearing sidewalks or driveways, do not pile snow into the roadway.
City of Vancouver offices are closed Thursday due to snowy and slick conditions on roads and streets throughout the area. Area schools are also closed, and drivers should be especially watchful of children out playing in the snow.
Also due to extremely slick, wintry street conditions in neighborhoods, Waste Connections has canceled regular Thursday garbage and recycling collections in Vancouver and the rest of Clark County. Visit Waste Connections website at www.wcnorthwest.com or call 360-892-5370 for more information about service.
Temperatures in Vancouver are expected to remain below freezing until later this weekend, which means the snow and all that comes with it will remain.
To report trees in streets or for assistance with frozen water lines, call Vancouver Public Works Operations at 360-487-8177 and follow the prompts for after-hours service. For downed power lines, keep back and report to Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-8000. In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
For more winter weather tips, information and updates, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/severeweather. Updates are also available through Public Works and other City social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, available online at www.cityofvancouver.us/socialmedia.
