Extra shelter beds open amid wind, cold
Extra shelter beds were opened in Greater Victoria on Tuesday in anticipation of high winds and arctic air that brought snow to parts of southern Vancouver Island.
The Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Response Program, intended to get homeless people out of rough weather, opened 77 extra beds for vulnerable people.
There are now 472 beds available at shelters, up from 395 on Monday.
Regional program co-ordinator Jen Wilde said extreme-weatherresponse shelter beds are open Nov. 1 to March 31, but extra beds were added Tuesday because of early-morning snow in parts of the region, near-freezing temperatures and a wind warning from Environment Canada for Tuesday night.
For people living on the street, severe weather that is merely inconvenient for others is “an extreme health crisis,” Wilde said.
Wind warnings were in effect for Greater Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands for Tuesday night, said Environment Canada. Northeasterly winds up to 70 kilometres an hour, gusting up to 90, were expected to develop.
Environment Canada issues wind warnings when there is a significant risk the winds will cause damage, due to falling branches or flying debris, for instance.
The high winds are forecast to ease by today to about 50 km/h
Shelter beds already in service this month are at Rock Bay Landing (Cool Aid Society) on Ellice Street, Sandy Merriman House (Cool Aid Society) on Burdett Avenue, Salvation Army
Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street, Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter on Vancouver Street, VIHA Sobering and Assessment Centre on Pembroke Street, First Metropolitan United Church on Balmoral Street, PHS Seasonal (Arbutus) Centre by referral only, and Our Place Society, Out of the Rain Youth Shelter.
The 77 extra beds opened Tuesday at Rock Bay Landing, the Salvation Army Addictions and Recovery Centre, Our Place Society, and JDF Extreme Weather Shelter on Butler Road.
On Tuesday morning, there were reports of heavy rain, freezing rain and light hail and snow at higher elevations throughout the south Island. Emcon Services Inc., the road maintenance contractor for the South Island, reported light flurries on the Malahat.
“The morning drive today reminds us to keep a safe braking distance,” Emcon said.
Commuters reported rain and hail in Victoria, light flurries in Langford and Colwood and heavy snow that stuck on the Malahat summit.