WhiteCAP_Plan_01SEPT..

NCE WhiteCAP Environmental History
accidents was reported on November 25 th , 1968 with the onset of winter conditions,
resulting in $600 ($3,587.50 adjusted value) damage. Unsurprisingly, the majority of
vehicle accidents occur in downtown Whitehorse, where the traffic is heavy. A number of
accidents occurred again in November 1965 and January 1969. About $3,150.00
($17,991.04 2009 adjusted value) in vehicle damages occurred during this period. Heavy
snowfalls occurred throughout the early winter in 1988. About 110 mm of snow fell in
one day in November 1988. This anomaly was surpassed soon after when 270 mm fell
in a single day in December 1988. The heavy snow and icy road conditions resulted in a
three vehicle accident on Mountainview Drive, closing the road. Accidents resulting from
driving in icy conditions continue to persist today.
Accidents due to icy conditions are not limited to vehicle use. Often, simply being out in
icy conditions can result in the injury of residents. In December 1964, slips and falls on
icy streets resulted in injuries across the city within a mere 48 hours. Five people were
admitted to the Whitehorse Hospital during that period. In December 18 th 1981, warm
temperatures of 5°C resulted in about 4.2 mm of rain to fall over the course of the day.
This rainfall then froze causing a rash of injuries due to slips and falls. In November
2000, mild weather was responsible for serious and non-serious pedestrian injuries who
slipped on the sidewalk. Fourteen people were treated at the Whitehorse General
Hospital in one day. The warmer temperatures melted the snow, which then turned into
ice, causing slippery conditions for pedestrians. As with vehicle accidents, slippery
streets can still affect Whitehorse’s residents. The aging population of Whitehorse is
currently vulnerable to icy conditions.
3.3.2 Effects of Ice and Icy Conditions
Injury is the most common result of ice and icy conditions. Icy conditions in 2005
resulted in 198 admittances - 75% of total hospital visits to the Whitehorse General
Hospital Emergency Room. Warmer temperatures during the same period in 2006
resulted in 113 individuals or 45% admittances to the Emergency because of a fall 14 .
Icy conditions also affect infrastructure. In December 1962, electric power to Porter
Creek was interrupted by heavy ice created by mild weather, sleet and rain. Ice built up
on the power lines, which ultimately snapped under the load. Ice and ice fog can
potentially block metal chimneys. Heat converts ice fog to water, which condenses inside
the chimney and later refreezes. This ice gradually builds up until the chimney passage
is completely blocked, forcing carbon monoxide levels in the building to rise.
Unfortunately, this situation resulted in the death of a couple in the 1970’s. Another,
more fortunate family was saved in December 1977 after a public safety warning alerted
them to ice blockage in their chimney. At that time the Fire Chief had stressed the
importance of checking household chimneys in cold weather after an episode of ice fog.
In addition to issues of safety and security, historic ice damage to buildings in
Whitehorse can be expensive. For example, a resident who lived on Redwood Street in
Porter Creek for seven years had his pipe-line freeze for the first time because road
improvements had lowered the road surface about 1m. He had to pay $150,000
(~$250,000.00 in adjusted dollars) for pipe steaming. Municipal services crews have
14 Wendy White. Health Records Department, Whitehorse General Hospital, 2009
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