The City of Vancouver is ready to meet the challenges of severe weather this winter, and encourages the public to be prepared, too.

With more than 1,875 lane miles of paved streets in Vancouver, your Public Works crews and equipment are strategically deployed to maximize the response to snow, ice, and other severe winter weather. The department currently has 18 vehicles of varying sizes, including a large grader, capable of moving snow. Nearly half of those vehicles are also equipped with deicing applicators. The city makes its own deicing solution at mixing stations in west and east Vancouver, and supplies are fully stocked.

During severe weather, Public Works' first response is keeping open the major streets that connect police, fire and medical services. Next in priority are other arterials, selected collectors, snow bus routes, and key streets around schools and hills. Crews also stand ready to assist Vancouver Fire, Vancouver Police and Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) when emergency access is needed. Due to demands of keeping this life-saving network of streets open during severe weather conditions, along with limited resources and difficulties related to driveways and parked cars, neighborhood residential streets are not plowed or deiced.

Timing, coordination and being prepared for whatever the weather brings are a critical part of the city's winter weather response. Public Works crews are keeping a watchful eye on temperatures, precipitation and forecasts, ready to provide a preventive layer of deicer should the potential for icy or slick conditions arise.

Businesses and residents can help by being ready for the possibility of harsh winter weather. Have traction devices, snow shovels and emergency preparedness kits ready. Disconnect garden hoses and insulate water pipes and outside hose bibs to prevent freezing.

Remember: Property owners are responsible for keeping adjacent sidewalks passable. Safe and effective deicer and traction material can be found in many stores. Used properly, these can make shoveling easier and help prevent slick sidewalks. Those who can are encouraged to lend a helping hand to elderly or disabled neighbors who may need assistance with sidewalks and other services during severe weather.

To report an urgent problem with City of Vancouver streets or utilities, please call Public Works Operations at 360-487-8177. In case of a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. To report a downed power line, call Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-8000.

View Vancouver's snow removal routes, get winter weather tips, and stay informed with severe weather updates at www.cityofvancouver.us/severeweather. Severe weather updates are also posted on Vancouver Public Works' social media channels, at Facebook (www.facebook.com/VancouverPublicWorks) and Twitter (@VanPubWorksUS).