Several major highways in southern B.C. remained closed Wednesday, Dec. 17, due to fallen trees, heavy snow and hazardous driving conditions.
Highway 3 is closed in multiple locations, including near the Paulson Bridge, Castlegar and Salmo, due to trees on the road. The Bombi Pass, Nancy Greene Pass and portions of Highway 3B are also shut down.
Highway 3 near Manning Park and Hope remains closed, and the Coquihalla near Merritt is again shut down.
Environment Canada has issued warnings for further snowfall, with up to 10 centimetres expected on top of the 15 centimetres already reported at the Paulson Summit, Kootenay Pass and between Eagle and Rogers passes. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h are also contributing to dangerous driving conditions.
Kootenay Pass has reopened following overnight avalanche control.
Compact snow and slushy conditions are reported on Highway 31 from Meadow Creek to about 25 kilometres south of Trout Lake, and on Highway 31A near New Denver. Highway 6 north of New Denver is reduced to single-lane alternating traffic due to roadwork.
Drivers are also warned to watch for pooling water and dense fog on several routes, including:
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Highway 3A between Creston and Crawford Bay
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Highway 3 between Creston and Yahk
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Highway 6 through the Slocan Valley
Additional highway incidents and closures include:
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Highway 3A: Closed between Smith Road and Maia Lane, 17 km south of the Kootenay Bay ferry landing, due to downed hydro lines.
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Highway 3: Closed near Christina Lake, Castlegar and Salmo due to trees on the road.
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Highway 3B: Closed from Rossland to north of Nancy Greene Summit for 27.9 km.
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Highway 3: Minor delays near Greenwood due to utility work until Friday.
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Highways 3, 3A, 3B, 6 and 22: Numerous reports of debris, fallen trees and downed lines; drive with caution.
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Highway 6 (north of Passmore): All lanes blocked by a fallen tree.
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Highway 6 (north of New Denver): Single-lane alternating traffic due to construction.
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Highway 3A (north of Kuskonook): Hydro lines reported down.
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Highway 22: Debris on roadway from the U.S. border to Castlegar.
Motorists are advised to check DriveBC.ca for the latest conditions and updates.
FortisBC said crews will continue to provide updates on the situation through its service alert at fortisbc.com.
For the most current information for affected customers, including estimated restoration times by area, visit the outage map at fortisbc.com/outages.
Safety and outage preparedness tips
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Stay at least 10 metres (33 feet) away from downed power lines—about the length of a school bus.
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If you are involved in an accident where poles or wires are affected, remain calm, stay in your vehicle, call 9-1-1 and wait until FortisBC turns off and isolates the power.
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To report an outage or downed wires or poles, call 1-866-436-7847.
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Prepare an emergency kit with items such as flashlights, a battery-operated radio, fresh water and non-perishable food.
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Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
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Charge devices when possible and check on vulnerable family members or neighbours.
