Photo: Contributed - Teresa Taylor

At least one resident in Naramata cannot leave their property as broken tree limbs are blocking the driveway.

UPDATE 12:00 - City crews are responding to reports of downed trees and branches as quickly as possible. Priority is given to debris that poses a risk to public safety and access.

Please do not approach hanging branches that have been cordoned off or have cones around them - they may be unsafe. Debris removal work will likely take several days, and the public's patience is appreciated.
 

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer - Castanet

Elaine Fester shows where a tree came down on the cable line to her house in Naramata, during the snowfall.

Removal of trees is restricted to public property and those blocking the roads. Private property owners are responsible for removal of their own trees.

If you have a tree down or with broken branches, the City recommends you contact a qualified arborist to ensure it does not pose a safety risk to yourself or others.

In Naramata, power has been restored to Naramata Elementary School and some residents. Crews are working to restore all of the power in the area.

Update: 10:26 a.m.

The heavy snowfall overnight has created problems in the South Okanagan, ranging from power outages to downed trees.

Information on how city crews are dealing with the situation in Penticton is available on the city's website.

In Naramata, power was still out as of 9:48 a.m.

Area director Karla Kozakevich said she believes it went out around 4 a.m. The last word she had from Fortis was there were power outages throughout the valley, and they were working on restoring power as fast as they can.

Superintendents of School Districts 53 and 67 said there were no school busses running today. All schools are open in those districts. In Naramata, where the power is still out, the school is open but parents have a choice of either bringing in or keeping students home until power is back on.

More updates will be provided as they come available.

--With files from Deb Pfeiffer

The City of Penticton began plowing roads at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning as the snow continued to fall in the South Okanagan.

However, the slick conditions forced crews to chain up their vehicles, which added to the response time.

Communications officer Simone Blais says all of the city’s plows and graders are now in service and actively clearing the roads. Once the main areas of town are cleared, crews will then focus on hilly areas of the community.

There have also been reports of many trees down in the area, stretching from Penticton to Naramata and crews will be attempting to clear them as they go.

Further adding to the concern is Wednesday’s weather forecast of warmer temperatures, which could lead to possible flooding.

Blais says crews will be trying to clear storm drains to help with the melting snow and asks residents to check/clear storms drains near their homes if possible.

The snow also affected power in Penticton, leading to the Westminster Substation going offline this morning. It has since been repaired and customers should be back in service.

City officials are also aware of a tree that has fallen on a power line in the Valleyview area, and crews have responded.

FortisBC has also confirmed that power has been restored to most customers in the Naramata and West Bench areas of the South Okanagan.