'Everyone frustrated by all the white stuff': city digs out of latest storm

• Up to 35 cm of snow fell in higher areas
• Valley bottom had about 20 cm
• Series of snow storms makes life challenging for city crews

The City of Kelowna is asking for patience as crews deal with a challenging series of snowfalls this winter.

Residents woke to a thick blanket of the white stuff Thursday morning, the biggest dump to date, with more on the way.

The overnight storm layered up to 35 centimetres on the southeastern hills of the city, and around 20 cm in the valley bottoms, according to manager of public works Geert Bos. A further 10 cm is possible by Friday.

Bos said while the city expects between six and 10 snow events spread out over a typical December, the latest was the fifth since Christmas Eve, and it's hard for crews to get on top of it all.

He said some events have lasted for three days, with just a single day break before crews are back out for another two.

“We do understand, everybody is getting frustrated with the white stuff. We do, too,” Bos told Kelowna10. “Our guys have been working since Christmas Eve, 24/7, many have missed out on spending time with the family over the holidays, and we just ask for a little bit of patience and understanding.”

Bos explained the snow clearing crews are guided by the city's policy that mandates crews clear Priority One routes within eight hours of an event, Priority Two routes within 12 hours, and Priority Three (residential streets), within 48 hours. But the storms have been coming in quick succession.

“If you get a good accumulation of snow while we’re finally getting into those Priority Three’s and then the next event presents itself, our priorities get reset back to the Priority One’s,” he explained.

As a result, he acknowledged there would be certain residential areas that haven’t seen a snow plough in many days.

Going forward, Bos said the immediate priority is to clear roads and make them passable following the latest big storm.

Downtown snow removal

Come the weekend, the first significant snow removal event in many years will happened downtown.

Beginning Saturday, at 10 p.m., a nightly recurring parking ban will be in effect between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., for anyone parking on streets in the downtown core (between Harvey Avenue and Clement Avenue, bordered by Water Street and Richter Street) and in the Pandosy area (from Raymer Avenue to K.L.O Road between Tutt Street and Pandosy Street).

According to the city, vehicles still parked on the street after the ban begins will be towed to the closest non-obstructive location (i.e., down the street or around the corner).

Bos is asking the public to help out if they can, and that means refraining from parking on the street as much as possible.

“Vehicles on the street, especially when we have accumulations, really impedes our capabilities of being able to provide a safe and efficient snow removal service.”