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UPDATED: Helijet cancels flights, campuses close as more snow expected for Greater Victoria

Residents in the region face cancellations and closures as snow accumulates
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With up to 30 centimetres of snow now predicted for Greater Victoria, residents in the region are facing cancellations and closures.

Due to weather conditions and the forecast, Helijet cancelled its remaining flights for Tuesday evening.

Royal Roads University in Colwood closed its campus Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m.

“If you’re on campus, make your way home as soon as possible,” a Facebook post from the university said earlier in the afternoon.

Those parked at the Cedar Building, the Sherman Jen Building, the Boathouse or in the parking lot below Hatley Castle were asked to exit campus using College Drive to Belmont Park. Motorists were being asked to watch for flaggers. Anyone in need of assistance is asked to call campus security at 250-391-2525.

“We’ll update you bright and early tomorrow morning about conditions on campus,” the Facebook post said.

Camosun College said it would also close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday due to to changing weather conditions.

READ ALSO: Victoria homeless advocates desperate for additional shelter space in extreme weather

The Fisher Building foyer at the Lansdowne Campus and the Liz Ashton Centre at the Interurban campus remained open until 5 p.m.

“Students and employees are urged to be safe and take care,” a statement from Camosun College said.

The college is directing people to camosun.ca for updated information.

According to a tweet from the Victoria Natural History Society, a talk about death cap mushrooms scheduled for Tuesday evening at the University of Victoria was cancelled due to the weather.

BC Transit updated travellers with a list of routes, detours and cancellations Tuesday afternoon. Route 43 has been cancelled and route 52 will not do the lagoon loop. Route 54/55 will take its regular Glen Lake route but will not go to Duke Road or William Head using Happy Valley and Metchosin Roads. There will be no Gourman/Goldie loop on route 56/57, routes 59 and 60 will not go to Triangle Mountain and route 64 has no access to East Sooke.

READ ALSO: More snow expected for Greater Victoria

“All other routes are likely running late, so please plan ahead,” a tweet from BC Transit said. Customer alerts will be posted using the NextRide system.

Victoria handyDART services are moving to essential services only, according to a tweet from BC Transit. All customers who are already out will be transported home and non-medical trips will be cancelled.

VicPD and Saanich police also sent out tweets warning people to be careful on their commutes and slow down. VicPD said officers will be out enforcing speed.

An update from the Sooke School District said schools are still open and that the weather as well as the impact on road conditions and bus routes is being monitored. School bus service to Finlayson Arm Road has been cancelled. On Tuesday afternoon, bus 26 will not travel to Stewart Mountain, bus six will not travel on Taylor Way and bus nine will not travel Otter Point Road.

“As always it is up to the parents/guardians whether or not to send your student to school in inclement weather,” a statement from SD62 said. “We understand and support your decisions.”

The Greater Victoria School District also said schools would remain open until regular dismissal times Tuesday. Road conditions will be assessed by the District again on Wednesday morning and any impacts to schools will be communicated to the public by 6:30 a.m. through the SD61 website, twitter and Facebook.

Around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, a Facebook post from CFB Esquimalt said the Commander gave direction that the base will reduce to minimum manning of critical personnel due to inclement weather and unsafe road travel conditions.

“This includes the CANEX, the museum and the Naden Athletic Centre,” the post said. “Updates will be provided on social media and the base closure information line at 250-363-5000.”

shalu.mehta@blackpress.ca


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Royal Roads University’s campus closed on Tuesday due to weather. (Twitter/Royal Roads)