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Most services running for now despite snow in Campbell River and the Comox Valley

Environment Canada expects more snow, wind today before rain returns
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A Bobcat rolls down 5th Street in the snow Wednesday morning, More snow is expected through the day. Photo by Mike Chouinard

The first widespread winter weather hit the Comox Valley and Campbell River areas with less force than their southern neighbours overnight.

Most services are running, at least for now.

Light snow was falling on Wednesday morning, as shopkeepers were out on 5th Street in Courtenay shoveling or sweeping snow off of sidewalks.

All public schools were open today in School Districts 71 and 72, though the Comox Valley district is cancelling all school district meetings and user group activities scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 15. This affects the boundary review consultation at Royston Elementary at 6:30 p.m. The session is rescheduled for January 29 at 6:30 p.m.

People can also refer to the school district website, social media channels or local radio stations for announcements on school closures and bus cancellations.

North Island College announced at 12:30 p.m. all NIC campuses will be closed as of 2:30 p.m. due to inclement weather. A decision will be made on opening tomorrow, Jan. 16 in the morning.

Highway contractor Mainroad North Island said its crews are conducting snow removal across the service area today, and recommends drivers travel slowly and stay up to date about road conditions through DriveBC.

Most services in the area were operating, with garbage being the most affected. The Village of Cumberland announced it was cancelling regular collection for Wednesday and recommend people bring material back to the curb for 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. Depending on road conditions, if three subsequent days are missed due to weather, people should bring out garbage for the next regular collection day.

The City of Courtenay reports recreation programs are running. However, its garbage and yard waste collection is being cancelled for the rest of the day. Today’s pickup will be postponed until next Wednesday.

The Town of Comox is also reporting pickups have been cancelled, with today’s collection delayed until next Wednesday. Recycling though is still set for Saturday.

Emterra has confirmed that there will be no curbside garbage and recycling pick-up today – and possibly tomorrow if the snow continues to fall, a notice from the City of Campbell River says.

BC Transit reports all routes are running in the Comox Valley, though some buses might be delayed. Riders can track their bus or find further updates on BC Transit’s Comox Valley page by going to Schedules and Maps, then finding the Customer Advisories link in the top left.

BC Transit buses may be delayed today throughout the Campbell River area. Alerts are in place for nearly all routes including: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 25 and handyDART.

At the Comox Valley Airport, most flights were running, though a few flights were delayed or cancelled, mostly due to inclement weather in places like Vancouver or other locations in Western Canada.

BC Ferries is cancelling the 7:10 and 8:45 p.m. sailings between Comox and Powell River because of high winds.

RELATED STORY: Courtenay-bound ambulance flips on Highway 19

As far as what the weather holds in store, Environment Canada reported at 10:35 a.m. that the temperature was -5 with light snow falling in the Comox Valley. It is predicting 10 centimetres.

Today’s Campbell River forecast is, no surprises, calling for snow with a risk of freezing drizzle this morning. Around 10 cm of snow is expected today, with more snow tonight. The high is -2 C and the low is -4 C.

The snow from Campbell River to Courtenay is expected to “increase significantly in intensity and southeast winds will rise in excess of 70km/h tonight,” an Environment Canada warning bulletin said. “Blowing snow with poor or near zero visibility is expected.”

Temperatures are to return to the plus side tomorrow with a chance of showers.

— with a file from Marissa Tiel



mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com

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Shops and offices in downtown Courtenay were sweeping or shovelling snow Wednesday morning. Photo by Mike Chouinard