Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Yukon College

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Community Adaptation Project
resulted in injuries across the city within a mere 48 hours. Five people were admitted to the
Whitehorse General Hospital during that period. In December 18th 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 injuries due to pedestrians slipping 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.
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 the total hospital visits to the Whitehorse General Hospital Emergency
room. Warmer temperatures during the same period in 2006 resulted in 113 individuals (45%
of admittances to the Emergency) injured because of falls (Wendy White, Whitehorse General
Hospital, pers. comm., 2009).
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
1970s. 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 pipeline freeze for the first time because road improvements had lowered the
road surface about 1 m. He had to pay $150,000 (~$250,000.00 in adjusted 2009 dollars) for
pipe steaming. Municipal service crews have since noted that the several mild winters have put
Whitehorse residents out of the habit of using frost protection devices.
Cold conditions can also create challenging conditions for city operations. On January 3, 1991,
ice fog and temperatures of -45°C reduced visibility and forced the Whitehorse airport to shut
down. On the same day, the record low temperatures halted work by city crews, who could not
use certain equipment for fear of damage. The metal equipment became so brittle it could snap
or shear when it hit curbs.
Community Responses to Icy Conditions
In 1960, Red Cross Water Safety officials stressed safety measures to ensure the security of
residents engaged in winter outdoor activities. Following safety rules helps to prevent accidents
and aids in rescue operations. For example, one must ensure that the ice on the rivers, sloughs
and lakes is four inches thick before it is traversed.
Warnings and official messages are the standard method for creating awareness in the
community of dangerous driving conditions and ensuring motorists use the proper amount of
caution. In December 1981, the RCMP issued an official warning to motorists to be very careful
on streets. Yukon government officials have also told residents to avoid the Yukon highways
unless it was absolutely essential to make a trip. The highways around Whitehorse are sanded to
increase traction and create safer driving conditions.