Extra community-based shelters will remain open in Surrey on Wednesday "due to the ongoing impacts" of Tuesday nights storm.
The Homelessness Services Association of B.C. issued an alert Tuesday (Nov. 19) due to a special weather statement from Environment Canada. On Wednesday (November 20), the association released a release stating, " the Extreme Weather Alert issued for Surrey-White Rock has been extended due to the ongoing impacts of the recent bomb cyclone storm."
On Tuesday, forecasters say a so-called "bomb cyclone" is expected to bring powerful winds to Vancouver Island and the British Columbia coast today (Nov. 19) and overnight into Wednesday.
Such systems are caused by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure at the centre of a storm, and with a "significant fall storm" set to impact the B.C. coast starting today, according to Environment Canada, residents can expect the wind to start picking up.
"Coastal areas will see southeasterly winds increase through the afternoon today, with peak wind speeds expected for most areas on tonight. Strong winds are likely to continue on Wednesday morning but should ease later in the day," reads the alert.
The following community-based shelters for Surrey and White Rock will remain open Wednesday (Nov. 20), according to a bulletin from the Surrey-White Rock Extreme Weather Response team.
- Surrey Alliance Church: 13474 96th Ave. between 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The site is accessible through the breezeway entrance in the rear parking lot. No pets. For adults 19+
- South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre EWR: 14601 20th Ave. between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The site is accessible near the lower parking lot. The site is pet-friendly and pet accessible. For adults 19+
Surrey Urban Mission's welcome hub (13545 King George Blvd) has 16 temporary winter shelter mats. The site also has meals from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m.
Surrey Libraries keeps an up to date list of other shelters that are regularly open at surreylibraries.ca.
Street Messenger also has a map to look up shelters in your area at streetmessenger.io/map
-With files from Tricia Weel
