Monday marked the first day of winter and the season made sure to make an entrance in Langley.
Since noon Monday the Township of Langley fire department received 200 calls.
Dale Steeple, assistant fire chief with the Township, estimated that is 10 times the number of calls the department typically receives.
“No emergency situation was passed,” Steeple said, noting all reports were attended.
“All our members did a great job… with keeping up all night and being up all night,” he emphasized.
READ MORE: Traffic lights out as Langley City neighbourhood goes dark
Also, despite working around the clock BC Hydro still had at least 45 power outages listed in the Langley area as of noon Tuesday, but the utility had restored power to about 190,000 customers of the 223,000 customers across the province who were impacted.
Brookswood was the hardest hit community in terms of weather-related calls attended by the Township of Langley fire department, according to Steeple.
“There were more issues in that area for sure with all the trees,” he said.
Every year, winter rolls around and brings rain, snow, and ice along with it. Find how to stay up-to-date on service delays and tips to help ensure your materials are picked up on collection day: https://t.co/qAbCfZhG2R pic.twitter.com/Oe1sj2szWq
— Township of Langley (@LangleyTownship) December 22, 2020
But calls to fire crews came in from across the community.
“We had all 23 apparatuses out and responding to calls,” Steeple said, noting the “hard work of the dispatchers” who were tasked with organizing the response.
The aftermath of the snowstorm left icy road conditions Tuesday morning.
Fire crews were called to 0 Avenue and 264th Street after a car went into a ditch and began taking on water.
“The driver got out. There was water in the vehicle and our crews assisted the passenger… out of the vehicle,” Steeple explained.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Snow, snow and more snow lands in Langley
He said the passenger was left with minor injuries to their leg and chest pain, likely caused by the airbag.
Also, 204th Street continues to be blocked north of 28th Avenue due to downed trees and power lines.
“We’ve been there almost for 20-plus hours now,” Steeple said, noting crews wrapped around 11 a.m. but a traffic control person was on site.
As of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday 23500-block of 32nd Avenue was also blocked, according to Steeple.
#BCStorm update: All available crews are currently working around the clock to restore power to affected customers. There are currently hundreds of distribution outages throughout #BC and crews are required to attend each site to make the necessary repairs pic.twitter.com/TppUuvnDdS
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 22, 2020
Meanwhile, City of Langley fire crews also had a busy 24 hours during the snowstorm as they responded to 23 calls for service, including 10 calls for wires down, according to Scott Kennedy, acting fire chief.
“Fortunately, there were no major incidents that occurred during this time,” he said.
Residents of Fort Langley were also fortunate after they were forced to temporarily evacuate their home on Monday after hydro wires had fallen on their home.
“It ended up being more a public safety issue… there was no fire conditions but [the call] did come in as that [to dispatch] because the potential was there [with] live wires on the house,” Steeple explained.
READ MORE: A fallen tree cuts power for Langley Township residents
In a Monday evening update customers in several communities – not including Langley – were notified they would be left without power overnight “as crews work around the clock on repairs.”
“Due to the extensive damage and difficult conditions, BC Hydro expects that some customers may be out for a second night,” the utility company warns.
The Township had several road and park closures listed as a result of Monday’s storm. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the following had areas had re-opened.
Road Closures:
- 199A Street at 33A Avenue
- 216 Street at 4 Avenue
- 16 Avenue between 200 Street and 208 Street (now open)
- 24 Avenue between 196 Street and 200 Street (now open)
- 28 Avenue east of 200 Street (now open)
- 56 Avenue between 232 Street and the 24600-block (now open)
- 64 Avenue between 232 Street and the 23600-block (now open)
- 72 Avenue in the 25600-block (now open)
- 88 Avenue at Nash (now open)
- 204 Street between 28 Avenue and 32 Avenue (now open)
- 248 Street just north of Fraser Highway (now open)
- 264 Street in the 6600-block (now open)
Park Closures:
- Williams Park
For City updates visit langleycity.ca, Township updates visit tol.ca/news/2020-12-22-snowimpacts, and for updates on power outages visit BC Hydro at bchydro.com/safety-outages/power-outages.html.
@JotiGrewal_joti.grewal@blackpress.ca Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
