Severe Weather Public Works Response
The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory that could hit the eastern portion of Vancouver, east of I-205, this evening.
Forecasters are currently predicting a wet and blustery weekend. Two active rain fronts are expected to hit, one tonight and another Sunday, followed by a much stronger ‘pineapple express’ event next Tuesday and Wednesday, with heavy rainfall, warmer temperatures and blustery winds. Currently, there are no rivers in Clark County that are forecast to flood. (Keep an eye on river conditions around the area yourself by viewing this National Weather Service website.)
Especially at times of heavy rain, drivers are urged to slow down and leave plenty of room to stop safely, being mindful of pedestrians and bicyclists nearby. If you have a clogged stormwater drain in your street and can safely stand back from the street and clear it with a leaf rake or broom, your help is appreciated. You can also report standing water by calling the city's Operations Center at 696-8177, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For after-hour emergencies, call 693-9302. In case of life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you experience a fallen branch or other storm damage to a tree on your property, Vancouver Urban Forestery urges property owners to stay calm and make a careful appraisal of the situation. Stay out of the way of branches that might fall, and stay away from downed utility lines. If the tree does not represent a safety hazard, take the time necessary to be sure the problem is handled properly. For mroe information, see www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry.
 The City of Vancouver's Department of Public Works encourages businesses and residents to be prepared in advance of inclement weather, lend a helping hand to neighbors where needed, and avoid unnecessary travel when severe weather impacts street conditions. The information below can provide you with the facts and tips you may need should severe weather should strike. We're also interested in continuing to improve our communications and service. If you have questions about this information found here or suggestions, please let us know by sending an e-mail.
YouTube Channel: Operations Superintendent of Streets & Grounds, Tim Buck, tells how Vancouver handles severe weather events, such as winter snow and ice, in this CVTV video.
Other Media: Vancouver Public Works crews make quick work of hazardous trees and limbs brought down by snowfall and rain, as shown in this KPTV Channel 12 news clip of Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Top Priorities for Vancouver's Streets:
When severe weather hits hard, the City of Vancouver's Department of Public Works prioritizes its response to provide the strongest level of support for our community's life-saving police, fire and medical public safety network. Our first priority are the critical arterials that connect police, fire and medical services, followed by remaining arterials, selected collectors, snow bus routes and key streets around schools and hills. Public Works Operations crews also work closely with Vancouver Fire and Vancouver Police to clear the way when emergency access is needed. During major snow and ice storms, the task of keeping these high priority streets open is an arduous one that must be repeated many times. Due to these work demands, limited resources and the difficulties of driveways and parked cars, residential streets are not plowed or deiced.
View Vancouver's Severe Weather Streets Response Map
These maps show top priority routes during severe weather. Choose the Adobe Flash version or the standard Adobe Acrobat version of the map and click on one of the links below and zoom into your neighborhood or desired location.
Map Legend at a Glance:
- Intersection (Signals) Deicing: Blue Dot
- First Priority Streets: Shown in Red
- Secondary Priority Streets: Shown in Green
View the Severe Weather Streets Response Map on this page.
Move the red square to zoom in on your neighborhood.
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Severe Weather Streets Response Map
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