City of Surrey releases dramatic snow preparedness video

Surry with snow / Shutterstock

With snow in the forecast and freezing temperatures on the way, municipalities across the Lower Mainland are preparing for the onslaught of winter weather.

Among these is the City of Surrey, which has now released a *ahem* dramatic video on social media that show just how prepared it is.

“Snow & ice equipment is prepped,” the city tweeted. “The Engineering Operations teams are in place. We’re ready to respond.”

Turn your sound on and watch the video for yourself below:

Snow & ice equipment is prepped. Engineering Operations teams are in place. We’re ready to respond.

Help us battle winter conditions by doing your part. Learn how: https://t.co/33dD8y0bT8 pic.twitter.com/C4chgmxafg

— City of Surrey (@CityofSurrey) January 9, 2020

According to the city, Surrey has 4,700 “lane kilometres” of road and “our crews work hard to prepare and maintain roads for winter conditions.”

The city said it focus is on “keeping major roads safe and passable during the winter season to ensure emergency vehicles can respond quickly and to maintain public transit and vehicle travel on main arterial roads.”

To do this, the city said it employs a three-level priority system:

Priority 1: First priority for snow removal. This includes high-volume arterials, steeply graded roads, bus routes and access to emergency services, like hospitals.
Priority 2: Second priority for snow removal. This includes all secondary roads within residential areas, such as routes that provide access to schools and to long-term care facilities.
Priority 3: Third priority for snow removal. This includes all remaining roads not included as Priority 1 or 2. Residential streets are addressed in a systematic manner, starting with identified problem areas, once all other roads are cleared and snow event has subsided.

An Environment Canada Special Weather Statement is currently in effect, calling for widespread snowfall across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

Environment Canada says that a low tracking system is spreading moisture across the south coast of British Columbia. Since temperatures are near the freezing mark, a mix of rain and snow is forecasted throughout the region.

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