Prince Rupert’s cold snap last week caught many residents off guard, or more accurately, it caught their pipes off-guard.
The city’s plumbers are being swamped with calls for burst pipes and other cold-related problems, all over the city.
In Prince Rupert the temperature was sent tumbling last week with temperatures reaching minus -19 degrees Celsius plus a windchill. Other communities might scoff at such a number, but in usually-temperate Prince Rupert these temperatures are almost unheard of.
Plumbers the Prince Rupert Northern View talked to said they were very busy with calls for burst pipes and other problems. While they were certainly busy, the companies said that they were keeping on top of the demand.
It wasn’t just residences that were having to deal with a disagreement between their plumbing and the bone-shattering cold outside. Charles Hayes Secondary School spring a leak above a classroom during the night.
According to the school’s vice-principal, Kevin Leach, the leak didn’t cause much of a disruption during the school day since they have plans in place for shuffling classes around if a classroom can’t be used.
A number of local businesses also had their pipes burst, causing water damage and, in some cases like the theatre, necessitating a closure for a day or more.
On Friday morning Northern Savings Credit Union also had a pipe burst, which forced them to close down bank operations for the weekend while cleaning and repair was done. The insurance agency was moved into a temporary location until the credit union re-opened on Monday due in part to the high number of claims caused by the weather.
“We will be under construction for awhile, but we are fully functioning and ready to help with any banking or insurance needs you may have,” said Interim CEO, Bill Nicholls