Latest News | Victoria

Preparing for Heavy Rain and Strong Winds | November 26 2021
Update - Sandbags will be available Saturday, November 27th from 8am to 4pm at Topaz Parking lot near Glasgow Street. Bags, zip ties and shovels will be available for residents to fill bags with sand. Learn more about flood prevention at home and in your neighbourhood here. Preparing for Heavy Rain Everyone has an important role to play in keeping the community and properties safe and dry during heavy rain and wind storms. In preparation for a storm, City crews are out clearing streets of leaves.  Here's what residents and businesses can do to help prevent flooding: Please help keep sidewalks, gutters, drains, and storm drain grates clear of leaves to prevent storm drains from clogging and flooding. Do not rake leaves onto streets and do not push leaves into drains. Determine where the storm drain grate is on your street and help us keep it clear. Please rake leaves and tree needles away from grates and onto the boulevard, to allow rain water to enter freely. Placing leaves in clear, 100% compostable bags also helps prevent flooding. Learn more about our residential leaf collection. If you spot a blocked storm drain grate at risk of causing flooding and you're unable to clear it, please contact Public Works at 250.361.0400. Safe Travels When driving or cycling, be mindful of large puddles in curb lanes, on low areas of roads and at the bottom of hills, as well as areas with large leafy trees. Reduce speed to avoid vehicles from stalling.  Preparing for Strong Winds Businesses, residents and contractors on building sites should prepare for strong winds by securing materials that could become airborne such as garbage cans, patio furniture, retractable canopies, ladders, hoarding, building materials, banners and awnings. Residents are encouraged to trim dead or damaged tree branches to reduce the danger of these falling onto homes and vehicles during a storm. Who to Call When: To report a power line down, call 911. To report a power outage, call BC Hydro at 1.888.POWERON / 1.888.769.3766. View BC Hydro's information on power outages. To report branches or a tree down, call the City of Victoria Parks Division at 250.361.0600. NOTE: If calling after hours (weekends, or weekdays before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.), please call 250.361.0400. Preparing Your Emergency Kits During wet, windier months, there is a likelihood of power outages due to fallen trees or high winds. Residents should be prepared and have flashlights, blankets, a portable radio and spare batteries on hand in case of a power outage, and should avoid parking vehicles under trees or hydro wires, if possible. For information on what to include in your emergency kits go to: VictoriaReady.ca
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VictoriaReady is Recruiting Emergency Support Services (ESS) Volunteers! | November 26 2021
Public Safety Lifeline Volunteers (PSLV) are at the heart of emergency response in B.C. Thousands of volunteers across the province lead air and ground searches, help people in motor vehicle accidents, and coordinate services for victims of disasters. By joining the City of Victoria’s Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteer team, you become a PSLV and contribute to helping your community during emergencies. The City of Victoria’s Emergency Management Division, VictoriaReady, is currently recruiting ESS volunteers to continue building capacity within the City’s ESS team so that we are prepared for all types of emergencies. Our ESS volunteers play an important role in ensuring that evacuees have the tools that they need to make a full recovery. Recently, Victoria has experienced an increase in the frequency and severity of emergencies such as fires and extreme weather events; ESS volunteers assist those in need during these events. ESS volunteers are also provided with opportunities to assist other communities across B.C. who have been impacted by emergencies. Join VictoriaReady in creating a strong, resilient, and connected community! Submit an application to volunteer with the City’s ESS team
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2021 Holiday Events Around the City | November 23 2021
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Holiday festivities will begin with the Santa's Light Parade presented by the Greater Victoria Festival Society in partnership with CHEK TV and ends with the Lights of Wonder, organized by the Downtown Victoria Business Association. Bring the family and enjoy some of these great holiday events.   39th Annual Peninsual Co-op Santa's Light Parade  Presented by the Greater Victoria Festival Society in partnership with CHEK TV Date: Saturday, November 27, 2021 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Starting at Belleville St. & Government St., and ending at Bay St. and Government St. This much-loved parade returns and kicks off the Christmas festivities. This year, the route will be extended a few blocks. Masks are recommended but not mandatory. Details: gvfs.ca/gvfs_events/1136-2/ IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive Presented by the Island Equipment Owners Association Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021 Time: 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Location: Convoy starts at Breakwater District (at Ogden Point) and finishes at Westshore Motor Sports Park. The annual light parade features commercial trucks decked out in Christmas lights and ornamentation driving from downtown Victoria all the way to Langford. The convoy is a food drive for local food banks and spectators can bring cash or food donations to the parade or donate on the IEOA website. Details: ieoa.ca/trucklightconvoyinfo.html Lights of Wonder Presented by the Downtown Victoria Business Assoication Date: December 16 – 31, 2021 Where: Centennial Square Centennial Square will be transformed once again into a holiday wonderland. This event is free and for all ages and offers live entertainment, food vendors and magical light displays. Details: lightsofwonder.ca
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Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre Maintenance Closure Starts Nov. 29 | November 22 2021
Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre will close temporarily for scheduled annual maintenance from November 29 to December 19, 2021. Annual maintenance keeps the centre operating at its best. Fall programs will wrap up prior to the temporary closure. Staff look forward to welcoming the community back on December 20.  Pool and fitness schedules are available at victoria.ca/crystalpool.  
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What's Up at Council on Thursday, November 25 | November 22 2021
What's Up At Council? is our bi-weekly video series that gives you a glance at what's coming up for discussion and decision making at evening meetings of Council.  Hosted by Mayor Lisa Helps, this week's episode is available here and on the City of Victoria's social media channels.  Here's What’s Up At Council on Thursday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting agenda and tune in to the live webcast.    What Was Decided? Council Highlights provide a snapshot of the progress made on City programs, initiatives and on Council decision-making. Sign up to receive our Council Highlights by emailing engage@victoria.ca. Who Voted for What? You can see and track Council voting records at the click of a mouse with the Council Meeting Dashboard. The dashboard makes it easy to see how members of Council voted on a particular motion and gives you more tools to access and analyze information about decisions that impact you. The dashboard begins at the start of Council’s four-year term in November 2018.
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