1/13/2009 7:13:32 AM

A severe weather bulletin was issued by the province this morning predicting heavy rainfall for the Metro Vancouver area. City staff have been mobilized to deal with likely drainage and flooding problems that will occur as the snow melts in conjunction with the heavy rainfall.

The City of Surrey has been removing snow 24 hours a day/7 days a week during the past three weeks. We are now shifting the majority of our efforts towards flood mitigation measures, with over 150 staff dedicated to these efforts.

The City is looking for help from its residents to minimize localized flooding. The public is requested to take the following precautions to minimize the impacts of flooding to neighbourhood roads and/or potentially their properties.

1. If you are aware of a catch basin located on your street adjacent to your property, we ask that you remove any snow from its surface. Snow covered catch basins prevent the melting snow from properly draining into the City's storm sewer system. This may result in waters ponding and potentially impacting properties within close proximity to the catch basins.
2. Please clear any drains you may have on your own property to ensure that water drains away from your house.
3. Motorists should take extra precautions when travelling through the City. Accumulated waters on streets may be deeper than what they appear and may cause loss of vehicle control.
4. Please report road flooding by contacting the City at 604-591-4152, or by sending a service request via the City of Surrey website at www.surrey.ca.
5. Most importantly, take every caution to ensure your safety and that of your friends and neighbours.

Potential road closures

The large volume of rainfall and snowmelt may result in road closures in the low lying areas, especially in the Bridgeview, South Westminster, Serpentine and Nicomekl flood plains.

A list of road closures will be posted on our City website as they occur. People living in flood plains who require sandbags may get both sand and bags at the Surrey Works Yard at 6645 148th Street and the Hemlock Works Yard at 9353 160th Street.

Please check the City of Surrey’s website at www.surrey.ca for updates to flood conditions around the city. You can also contact the main engineering service request line at 604-591-4152.