The document below has
been developed to help clarify what can be expected at Big
Canoe during adverse weather.
When a winter weather event
is pending, the following information is issued so that
Property Owners/Guests can anticipate their personal
preparatory needs and make suitable plans.
·
During snow and ice conditions the roads are scraped and
graveled for emergency vehicle access. The POA’s primary
objective is to maintain emergency response capabilities to
residents. Big Canoe emergency vehicles are all four wheel
drive and equipped with studded tires and chains, allowing
them to travel where conventional vehicles cannot.
·
Depending on the type and extent of precipitation, many of
the minor roads will likely not be scraped or graveled
before nature fixes the problem with sunlight and favorable
temperatures.
·
The transponder operated gates may be closed during snow/ice
or other weather related conditions. This is done to allow
staff to inform residents of travel conditions and help
prevent residents from becoming stranded or involved in an
accident. A few minutes delay may be experienced as all
entering traffic is funneled through the lane next to the
guard house. The intent is to prevent possible hours of
delays on the roads.
·
The Big Canoe roads are never closed to residents. It may
be recommended that residents not use the roads but Public
Safety will not bar them from attempting to reach their
homes. For residents who choose to drive in hazardous
conditions and become stranded, help, if needed, could be
hours away.
·
Vehicles parked or abandoned on or along the road will be
subject to removal at the owner’s expense. Emergency
vehicles may push your vehicle off the roadway in order to
maintain emergency traffic flow. The Big Canoe POA is not
responsible for damage to parked or abandoned vehicles.
·
Those who choose not to drive in Big Canoe may leave the
property or may choose to park in the Wildcat Recreation
Area parking lot or in locations otherwise directed by
Public Safety. Public Safety will attempt to take residents
from that lot or other specified parking areas to their
homes, time and road conditions permitting. Responding to
emergencies will be the first priority for Public Safety
employees and the wait time for transportation could be
quite long if there are fires or medical emergencies.
·
During snow/icy conditions guests will not be transported.
Resources are dedicated to residents. (Do not invite guests
to Big Canoe to see the snow!) Guests will be turned away at
the gates.
·
The Public Safety staff will not transport residents from
home to home within Big Canoe for social or discretionary
purposes. Emergency service and aid to stranded Property
Owners are the priorities.
·
When a weather event is predicted or imminent, it is
recommended that residents have several days of supplies
available. Residents should consider items in addition to
food such as prescription drugs, bottled water and pet
food. Public Safety does not provide transport to obtain
supplies.
·
In extreme cases of road icing, where even Public Safety
vehicles have difficulty operating safely, the Clubhouse at
Lake Sconti and other secondary facilities may operate as
emergency shelters. When the POA determines that such a
condition exists, Public Safety will transport Property
Owners arriving from outside to an emergency shelter.
·
Early road information issued by the POA during weather
events will reflect the general road conditions at the time
of the communications. Individual road and driving
conditions, as well as driver skills and equipment, are
extremely variable and any specific condition information
published could be misinterpreted. Driving decisions are
the sole responsibility of the drivers. Particularly
troublesome road areas may be highlighted in communications
in an attempt to divert traffic but it is impossible to
highlight all potentially hazardous areas. Callers asking
the Public Safety dispatcher or the gates for road
information will receive the same information as provided in
the email updates.
