The City of Parksville reminds residents that they should clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours after it stops snowing.
Aside from joking about needing to explain what snow is, Parksville mayor Chris Burger said snow days often bring out the best of a community.
“This is a great opportunity to show how neighbourly we can be. I always get reports of people helping out their neighbours,” he said, but stressed that people shouldn’t do more than they are able.
“The last thing we want is for someone who feels they are physically unable... to hurt themselves,” Burger said.
He said it comes down to safety, in the case of emergencies people need to be able to get in and out of their houses, so people should keep an eye out for their friends and neighbours who may need help.
City officials point out the city does not clear snow from sidewalks, which is up to residents.
While the snow is falling, city crews clear roads on a priority basis starting with emergency services like the fire hall and ambulance station, followed by arterial streets like the Island and Alberni Highways, followed by main collector streets like Pym, Hirst, Stanford and Corfield.
Crews only work on residential streets when the other priorities are complete. It can take up to three days from the time it stops snowing to reach all roads.