Press Releases

Yesterday was a busy day in Chilliwack with all hands on deck. Operations crew members, contractors, and staff members from City Hall spent the day clearing snow, clearing catch basins in response to localized flooding and removing trees from roadways.

During the day, we had 64 staff members, 20 contracted staff, 25 units of equipment and 12 contracted machines working. Overnight 30 staff worked a 12 hour shift with 25 units of equipment and eight contracted machines. Today all crews, equipment and hired equipment are still working to clear catch basins, remove fallen trees and reduce localized flooding, while continuing to clear snow from side streets. Additional contracted equipment will clear BC Transit bus stops today.

Our Fire Department received 150 calls for service yesterday, many of which were for downed power lines. They typically average 200 calls per month.

There are still a number of road closures due to downed power lines and/or flooding. Closures are listed on our Traffic Notifications webpage at http://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1098.

Due to the freezing rain, there has been massive damage to trees throughout Chilliwack. Many street and park trees have been damaged to the point where they will not survive. Arborists will assess the extent of tree damage after storm cleanup is largely completed.

Our Operations Department continues to deal with a very high call volume. Please only call Operations to report a Public Works emergency, flooding or a tree across a road at 604.793.2810. It is not known when any particular street will see service for either snow clearing or flood abatement but it will be done as soon as operationally possible and as resources allow.