By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

City of Nanaimo crews race to clear storm drains following massive snowfall

Feb 16, 2019 | 7:58 AM

NANAIMO — While two feet of snow melts to a slushy mess around Nanaimo, crews are busy clearing storm drains to improve public safety and prevent localized flooding.

The City’s drainage foreman Wayne Roulston said the public works department is focused on high volume, pedestrian heavy intersections.

He said plugged drains cause a variety of concerns and their crews are reacting to that.

“They’ve got metal detectors out to locate the catch basis to dig them out. It clears the sidewalks and intersections, it’s good for everybody.”

Several pictures sent to NanaimoNewsNOW showed examples of localized flooding around Nanaimo. Roulston said the north end seems to have a more severe issue, which their crews dealt with later in the week.

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Roulston said hydroplaning is a serious concern for motorists who may be going too fast for the conditions. Freezing is another hazard to worry about when snow piles up on the side of the road.

“That’s just going to create more havoc for pedestrians and vehicles, it’s imperative (it be cleared).”

Roulston said Nanaimo residents have always been highly cooperative in clearing roadside drains during snow and windstorm events to help minimize flooding.

“It helps to not only prevent flooding on your property, but your next door neighbour as well.”

He estimated there are more than 13,500 storm drains on about 600 kilomteters of roadway in Nanaimo.

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