People were warned to get ready for heavy snow, up to 15 centimetres, and freezing rain Wednesday.
But Environment Canada’s winter storm warning was overstated as just a few centimetres of snow fell, followed by freezing rain, with a new warning.
“There was a little bit of freezing rain, but it turned to rain pretty quick and we started to get ponding water and slush. And the weight of the water and snow on the trees just snapped a lot of trees,” said James Storey, Maple Ridge’s director of engineering operations.
City crews had been preparing for snow on Wednesday night and were ready with plows and sanding vehicles but by about 8:30 p.m., public works made the call and switched to flood response.
By Thursday, the public works department had about 100 calls related to flooding or fallen trees.
The city had a full crew of about 20 out, Storey said.
With snow melting, crews jumped on to backhoes to clear drains and ditches and move fallen trees from roads.
Storey said parks staff and public works staff are now focused on controlling flooding and clearing up debris and fallen trees and securing those scenes while they await B.C. Hydro crews. A traffic-control company is being hired to control vehilces while crews clean up.
There’s no one area where flooding is causing a problem. It’s all over the map, Storey said.
The forecast calls for continued warm temperatures, with highs of 7 C on Saturday and easing of rain so that by the end of the weekend, Maple Ridge might be able to get back to a regular schedule.
“That should be the last of it,” Storey said.
“Maybe the snow will disappear and we can get back to normal.”
Residents are still being asked to safely clear any catchbasins near their homes to allow meltwater a place to go.
Crews have been on snow response for the last two and half a months. “It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these [winters].
“It’s been busy.”
While normal West Coast weather returns, ICBC is still warning about snow, sleet, fog and ice during this Family Day.
Last year in B.C., more than 2,000 crashes occurred over Family Day long weekend resulting in 540 people injured. Over the last three years, an average of three people have been killed.
People setting off on a long drive also advised to do so after working for a full day.
“Avoid setting off on a trip after a full day of work if you can and wait until the next morning instead,” says ICBC.
“If you do travel after work, make sure you get a good sleep the night before and take rest breaks or switch drivers every two hours to prevent driver fatigue. If weather is poor or visibility is reduced, use your headlights to help you see ahead and be seen by other drivers to reduce your risk of crashing.”
Maple Ridge bylaws issued about 20 letters to downtown businesses, asking them to clear their sidewalks. However, no tickets were issued.