Press Releases

A winter storm warning is currently in effect for Chilliwack and City officials are reminding residents to prepare for the storm.

According to weather reports, Chilliwack can expect snow this afternoon and overnight, with snow turning to freezing rain sometime after midnight. Weather experts are predicting approximately 10mm of ice accumulation overnight, followed by heavy rain (totalling around 20mm) throughout the day.

Before starting the morning commute tomorrow, residents are encouraged to check road conditions to ensure it is safe to travel. Those living on hillsides should exercise caution should freezing rain occur overnight.

With this forecast of freezing rain, residents should ensure they are prepared for potential power outages or other emergency situations. Flashlights with extra batteries, food, and other staples are important to have on hand.

Residents are asked to find and clear catch basins in their neighbourhoods to help reduce the risk of flooding. The combination of snow and freezing rain, followed by heavy rainfall significantly increases the risk of flooding. Residents can look up catch basin locations online at http://maps.chilliwack.com/b/?layer=23.

Sand and sandbags are available at Townsend Park in the west gravel parking lot. Bags are available in a green steel container onsite; please bring a shovel to fill the bags. This location may not have staff available onsite, but residents are able to help themselves to what they need in order to prevent localized flooding.

City crews and contracted crews are working hard to clear as many residential streets as possible before we receive additional snow, but may not be able to clear all side roads. Once snow starts falling, plows will reroute to priority one and two roads.

Residents can report localized flooding or trees blocking roads to the City’s Operations Department at 604.793.2810. We ask that residents do not call about snow plowing in order to keep the phone lines free for urgent calls about flooding and road blockages. If there is a medical emergency, please call 911 and they will work with Operations directly if additional assistance is needed.

For the most up to date weather reports, please check with Environment Canada. Road conditions can be monitored through the Ministry of Transportation. Traffic webcams are also available on the City’s website at chilliwack.com/webcams. Please note these webcams work on cellular networks.