The winter storm has hit Victoria commuters this afternoon, causing widespread traffic accidents and traffic jams. Police and other first responders have been kept busy and advise anyone not needing to travel to stay at home.
Vehicles are struggling to make it up hills across the city.
The District of Saanich issued a condensed list of streets that contain steep segments and which should be avoided by drivers.
The snow is expected to turn to freezing rain overnight.
Barricades are going up at Topaz at Fifth as people cannot get up the hill and it is getting dangerous. #yyjtraffic
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 8, 2017
Busses stuck and sliding downtown #yyj careful everyone! #yyjtraffic #yyjsnow pic.twitter.com/pK6NMrmANd
— Chris Shewchuk (@CAS_84) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Sticklebract/status/829474828545515520
If you don't have to be out on the roads please don't go out. The road conditions are not good #yyjtraffic #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/airlinerstyler/status/829464762794733569
#TCH & Westshore Parkway, Lights are 4way red flash as CVSE does chain up and tire checks. #yyjtraffic @DriveBC #DriveSafe #HWY1 pic.twitter.com/ehBtac61IA
— SPR Traffic Services (@sprtraffic) February 8, 2017
West Saanich road is at a crawl pace. Backed up all the way Royal Oak Drive to Interurban #yyjsnow #yyjtraffic
— Red Barn Market (@RedBarnMarkets) February 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/airlinerstyler/status/829466796163944450
#malahat #yyjsnow #yyjtraffic chain up area pic.twitter.com/HixSvAnvaf
— Andrea Callaghan (@calhounie) February 8, 2017
Collision at Bay and Shakespeare. Veh into pole. Weather related and was believed to be going too fast for the road conditions. #yyjtraffic
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 8, 2017
Vehicle into a metal construction box in the Topaz/Fifth area. currently blocking traffic. #yyjtraffic
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 8, 2017
Lots of cars getting stuck in the Hillside/Hamilton Area. pls avoid area. #yyjtraffic
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 8, 2017
Maplewood closed due to two buses not being able to hill. McKenzie between Blenkinsop and Quadra is similar. #yyjtraffic
— Sierra Phosy (@mademeshiver) February 8, 2017
A lot of people right now on Douglas street trying to catch buses and some buses are already full. #YYJ #YYJTraffic pic.twitter.com/Ijln3cAUa2
— City of Victoria (@CityOfVictoria) February 9, 2017
Bus stuck, blocking intersection at Jacklin & Langford pkwy #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/kLkfMQ5szn
— Justine. (@Justance) February 9, 2017
#yyjsnow bus being pulled up the hill at hillside and cedar hill pic.twitter.com/TULSO8ck5o
— Ness sympathizer (@cryptides) February 9, 2017
Vic Routes 3, 4, 6, 11, 14, 21, 22, 24, 26, 32, 39, 52, 54/55, 56/57, 59/60, 72, 75 and 83 on modified schedules. https://t.co/Xb0vFznMDe
— BC Transit (@BCTransit) February 8, 2017
Leaving your car at UVic tonight due to the snow? Parking enforcement will not occur tonight @uvic #UVic
— UVic Campus Security (@uvicsecurity) February 8, 2017