Today marks exactly 20 years since the first snow began to fall and which we now look back on in Victoria as the “Blizzard of 1996.” December 21st Victorians were greeted to snowflakes dusting the streets – little did we know that the last three days of December would see us blanketed.
On the evening of December 26, 1996, it began to snow again and would continue over the next several days. Over 65 cm of snow fell December 28-29 alone, breaking records set in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto!
Along with the 96 photos submitted by our fans, we’ve also re-printed in part the account of local Victorian Keith C. Heidorn, PhD, known as “The Weather Doctor”. Dr. Heidorn passed away in 2013, but his family has graciously granted us permission to include his words here:
The media called it the Blizzard of 1996, although with heavy snowfalls so rare here, The Blizzard would have sufficed. (The last major snowstorm of comparable size struck in 1916.) The rest of Canada had a rare opportunity for “reverse-gloating” when they heard the news — Victorians can be rather smug about their mild winters and take every chance to rub it in to the rest of the nation.
The media also called it a “disaster,” but that, in my opinion was an exaggeration. If the storm was a disaster, it would be for its impact on local buildings and infrastructure. Damage and clean-up costs were pegged at around $200 million Canadian dollars. Insurance claims of $120 million were the largest for a single event in British Columbia history.
I term the event a transportation emergency since the accumulated snow prevented people from going where and when they pleased. Even four-wheel drive vehicles could not negotiate the deeply covered streets. The hardy took to walking or skiing. The greatest concerns arose when emergencies occurred, and police, emergency vehicles and medical attention could not get to the site because of the snow-clogged streets. Victoria has but a few snowplows (five at the time), and most are attached to the centre of dump trucks, a viable method of snow removal in the normal light snows but of little use in deep snow accumulations since the trucks could not drive over the snow in front of them.
Not only did mechanized surface transportation stop, but Victoria International Airport and the BC Ferry service to the mainland and surrounding Gulf Islands also ground to a standstill. Staff could not reach the terminals nor could any passengers get to or from the airport and ferry terminals. Boating was possible if you could get to one, but before you could embark, the decks had to be shovelled free of the heavy snow to avoid capsizing. Many protective boathouses collapsed under the immense weight of the snow, trapping and often damaging the boats within.
The various levels of government (Victoria is the Provincial capital) were slow to react to the gravity of the situation. As a result, a local and popular talk radio station CFAX voluntarily undertook organization of the community response, initially through default but later because word had reached many citizens to tune to them for emergency information. (CFAX would later be cited with a special award from the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society for their efforts during the situation, an award for which I nominated them.)
CFAX’s open phone line manned by announcers Mike King and Greg Morin connected those in need with those who could render assistance. For example, up the Saanich Peninsula, a seniors’ housing complex was literally snowed in. Snow drifted around the building prevented doors from being opened, and many of those trapped within became frightened. One elderly woman phoned CFAX emotionally asking for anyone with a shovel and within walking distance of the complex to help dig out the seniors. Within hours, a small squad of neighbours descended to clear the doorways of snow.
The overall reaction of the citizens of Greater Victoria was one of cooperation within neighbourhoods, offering what help could be delivered. Neighbours joined together to shovel snow from roof-tops, doorways, walkways and even full street. They shared food, medicines and other supplies. They offered companionship to those caught alone or frightened. Since snow in Victoria is so rare, many residents don’t own a snow shovel so in lieu of the proper equipment, people used cake pans, plates, platters, baking sheets, dustpans, and cardboard boxes to create paths through the snow. Others just waded out and stomped trails into the snow.
All neighbourhoods were not as cooperative as others, unfortunately, and some major disagreements arose over the use of the few single-lane roadways dug out by hand shovelling, as addictions to tobacco, alcohol and the automobile overcame common sense and forced mad trips to the nearest stores.
But, those who made it to a store usually found it closed. In those stores, mostly small convenience stores, able to be open, runs on food items quickly cleared shelves. In many cases, empty shelves could not be restocked for more than a week as post-holiday deliveries were stalled by the snow. Supply trucks were caught on the mainland awaiting the resumption of ferry services to the islands and a reopening of highways from the ferry terminal into town.
Hospital and nursing home staffs on duty during the storm were trapped and required to take extra shifts. Many Victorians could not obtain critically needed medications because there were few ways to connect supply with need.
Those businesses — restaurants, shopping malls, groceries — that might have been open during the mid-holiday period were forced to remain closed because employees could not negotiate the trip to work. Bakeries dumped thousands of dollars of bread and dough when the bakers could not reach work nor the baked bread be delivered. Dairy farmers were forced to dump their milk for several days because it could not be taken to the dairies for processing and distribution.
The storm wrought major damage to many buildings and utility structures around the region as the weight of the waterlogged snow collapsed roofs, sports bubbles, boat houses, carports and greenhouses. A number of boats sank under the weight of snow on deck, and several float homes capsized or sank. Many of the region’s fragile greenhouses, private and commercial, were crushed under the burden of the snow, destroying not only the structure, but the crops growing within.
Some specific incidents included:
- Roof cave-ins at the Thrifty’s Food Store in James Bay, North Saanich Panorama Leisure Centre, Glen Meadows Golf Club curling rink;
- Thirty-five boats lost at the Capital City Yacht Club in Sidney, sunk or damage in boathouse collapses;
- An Esquimalt float home capsized with all contents lost;
- Two Viking Air hangers collapsed, destroying four aircraft and assorted equipment inside;
- Vantreight and Sons greenhouses crushed under weight of snow.
The storm had some unexpected side benefits in addition to community cooperation. The one most commented upon by Victorians was the quiet. I know my first reaction on awakening that morning was the lack of the urban clamour. Without the unceasing din of traffic, natural sounds wafted across the city. The barking of California seals wintering on several small islands off Victoria’s east coast was heard many kilometres inland.
Looking down Broughton from Government st Photo by Doug Clement Photography
Hillside looking towards Cedar Hill. Photo from Gilian Hillidge
Douglas Street near View St – Tim Anderson’s wife Viki writes, “It was a crazy winter where people became friendly and the streets became amazingly quiet due to lack of cars, or very slowly moving vehicles.”
Photo by Tim Anderson
“My car is under here somewhere” – Cedar Hill at Hillside. Photo by Gilian Hillidge.
“Found my car!” Photo by Gilian Hillidge.
Buried Island Temperature Control van. Photo by Kevin Lintern
Douglas Street photo by Doug Clement
Seven stories up in a condo in Songhees, open halls filled with snow. Photo Kevin Lintern – “My wife and I had just found out we were having our first baby, we wanted to tell my parents in person. We lived on Gorge Ave, they lived in Songhees. It took us about 3-4 hours to make that walk as most of the places were thigh deep snow…” K. Lintern
Christmas Village house on Bay Street. Photo Kevin Lintern
Saanichton photo by Suzy Bondesen
Saanichton photo by Suzy Bondesen
Dale Cooper digging out the car at Cedar Shores on Gorge Rd West. Photo Michelle Cooper
Dale Cooper digging out the car at Cedar Shores on Gorge Rd West. Photo Michelle Cooper
Dale Cooper assisting with snow removal at Cedar Shores on Gorge Rd West. Photo Michelle Cooper
Dale Cooper assisting with snow removal at Cedar Shores on Gorge Rd West. Photo Michelle Cooper
Cedar Shores on Gorge Rd West, with tree on car due to weight of snow. Photo Michelle Cooper
Butchart Gardens. Photo by Jeffrey Irwin
Butchart Gardens. Photo by Jeffrey Irwin
Butchart Gardens. Photo by Jeffrey Irwin
Digging out in Nanaimo. Photo by Kurt Seidel
Scoular Place’s Lisa & Graham. Photo Rhonda Cliff
Frolicking in the snow, Maddie, Rufus and Ryan. Photo Rhonda Cliff
Scoular Place. Photo Rhonda Cliff
Ralph Street in Saanich. Photo Alicia Brandt
Looking up Ralph Street toward Carey Road, Saanich. Photo Alicia Brandt
In the Uplands. Photo Nicola Holdsworth
In the Uplands. Photo Nicola Holdsworth
Apartment parking lot in Esquimalt. Photo Marc Boucher
Wendy Twomey outside her condo at the corner of Fort and Lee, across from the Jubilee Hospital.
Wendy Twomey outside her condo at the corner of Fort and Lee, across from the Jubilee Hospital.
Shawnigan Lake, photo Goldie Hartl
4-year-old Russell Prentice at his grandparents’ farm in Central Saanich. Photo via Russell Prentice
Central Saanich farm near the base of Bear Hill. Photo via Russell Prentice
Looking out the front door as brother tries to visit. Photo Kallie Price
Kallie Price’s one-year-old son wanting to go and play on the deck. Photo Kallie Price
Looking down Ker Avenue in Saanich. Photo Gail Abbott
Evelyn Becker (nee Barefoot) getting around on skis. Photo Gail Abbott
Looking towards Tillicum mall from Ker Ave. Photo Gail Abbott
Pearkes Rec Centre. Photo Gail Abbott
398 Ker Ave, Saanich. Photo Gail Abbott
Evelyn Becker (nee Barefoot) with her son Jacob. Photo Gail Abbott
Visiting relatives at Christmas on Salt Spring Island. Photo Wendy Montana
Shoveling snow in Cadboro Bay area. Photo Spook T.
Build up of snow on Gorge at Washington. Photo Muriel Marshall
From the top floor balcony overlooking downtown Victoria. At Gorge and Washington. Photo Muriel Marshall
Joseph street in Fairfield. Photo via Muriel Marshall – “We got stuck checking on my mother. We had to shovel our way out to the end of block. This was due to a large camper truck that went down the street leaving large ruts in the snow.” Dennis Raffard and Muriel Marshall.
Snow depth building up at Joseph Street in Fairfield. Photo of Calvin Whyte via Muriel Marshall
Waiting for the bus! Serendipitous visit from South Africa. Photo Sabine Kearns – “My husband, two boys, and I were visiting Victoria from South Africa. When this photo was taken, we were waiting for the bus to visit friends in Courtenay. We now live in Qualicum Beach, the beautiful little town we discovered on that very bus ride!” SK
James Bay – Photo Allison Mundschutz
In front of the Empress. Photo Allison Mundschutz
In front of the Empress. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Humboldt Street. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Frozen Inner Harbour Photo Allison Mundschutz
Frozen Inner Harbour. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Government Street and Parliament Buildings. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Photo taken on Douglas St looking up Johnson Steet Photo Allison Mundschutz
Humboldt Street. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Marifield in James Bay. Photo Allison Mundschutz
Broughton Street in front of YMCA – Photo Allison Mundschutz
Blanshard St near Burdette Ave – Photo Allison Mundschutz
A car buried in James Bay. Photo Peter Friebel
Cars buried in James Bay. Photo Peter Friebel “The fence at the end of this street makes me think it’s not San Jose. A sharp Victorian, can probably work out what street in James Bay it is.” Peter Friebel
“Tobogganing” in Beacon Hill Park. Photo Peter Friebel
Vanalman Avenue Saanich. Photo David Antrobus – “These photos were taken from our first home on Vanalman Ave. Everyone had to walk to Country Grocer at the time along thin channels in the snow.” David Antrobus
Vanalman Avenue, Saanich. Photo David Antrobus. “The backhoe belonged to a neighbour who owns Eagle Excavation.”
Montrose Avenue, Victoria. Photo Katie Stewart
Montrose Avenue, Victoria. Photo Katie Stewart
Montrose Avenue, Victoria. Photo Katie Stewart – “I worked at the Times Colonist, and was able to walk in, normally about a 20-minute walk. Only 35 people made it to work and there was no paper the next day.”
“Dad clearing a path with the dust pan.” Photo Katie Stewart
Douglas at View. Photo Ray Heeley
Douglas Street. Photo Ray Heeley
Humboldt Street in front of St. Ann’s Academy. Photo Ray Heeley
Yates St looking towards the intersection at Vancouver St. – “Yates was eerily quiet those days with only one lane ploughed and the only vehicles I saw were the police. I made myself eggnog pancakes and was keeping my food waste garbage in the freezer.” Jacqueline Staples
Yates St looking towards Johnson St. Photo Jacqueline Staples
Mahon road, Shawnigan Lake. Photo Jill Bell
Shawnigan Lake. Photo Jill Bell
View from Southgate St. across from Beacon Hill Park. “Silence and beauty of that day.” Pam Fortune
After the shovelling. Photo Tianna Shaw “Photo taken after my dad (Kenn Shaw) had finished clearing our roof and driveway in Victoria West, with me (Tianna Shaw) aged 2, standing atop the mountain of snow in front of our house.”
What’s a little snow? “We didn’t let a little snow slow us down. It was beautiful and calm. Walked downtown from Oak Bay.” Chrystal B
Susan McMullen, children Jen and Andrew, dog Kasey on Robinwood Drive. Photo Donald McMullen
Jen and Andrew McMullen enjoying the blizzard of 96. Photo Donald McMullen
Robinwood Drive at the north end of Shelbourne Street. Photo Donald McMullen
Donald McMullen on Robinwood Drive. Photo Susan McMullen
Window cleaning. “On a mission to clear snow from living room windows; had to climb over the fence as the sliding glass door was covered and we didn’t want snow in the living room!” Steve Buhr
Buried cars. Photo evinqvist – “Here is the big snowstorm in Victoria 1996. I took the picure in the morning. Scary!”
Judy Scott shovelling the snow on Kinross Ave – “Shovelling the snow in front of my sister’s house on Kinross Ave, Victoria (where I was stranded after coming to the island from Nelson for Christmas).” Judy Scott
Swallowed by snow on Kinross Ave. Photo Judy Scott – Judy Scott’s teen son and nephew dug a tunnel from the back door, across the yard to a picnic table. They hung out with hot chocolate in their snow fort. “We couldn’t see him while he was beneath the snow, but he surfaced to let us know he made it.”
Judy Scott standing in front of her mother’s apartment building on Bowker Ave.
South African visit to Nanaimo. “I will never forget the radio warnings for cars to stay off the road, and yet we were travelling cautiously along trying to get to the last ferry to the island (after staying in Surrey).” Gareth Evans
Buried in Nanaimo. “Upon arriving, we had to dig out the driveway which coming from a very sunny climate, was loads of fun. I didn’t want to go inside.” Gareth Evans
A change of climate! Photo Gareth Evans
“We ended up finding a slope and some crazy-plastic, and sledded into the night.” Gareth Evans
Have a piece of plastic will go down slope! “The only down side of the entire trip was that we had tickets to a Canucks game, which was cancelled due to the snow 🙂 ” Gareth Evans
An unforgettable winter. Photo Gareth Evans
Shoveling success! Photo Gareth Evans
Keep checking the Victoria Buzz Flikr account over the next week as we add more photos from the blizzard of 96.
Do you have photos? Send to > > tips@victoriabuzz.com – Please include “Blizzard of 1996” in the subject, and also a brief description of the photo such as location.
A special thanks to the family of Keith C. Heidorn for giving Victoria Buzz permission to include his recollection from the blizzard of 1996. The full text of his account can be found HERE.
