Ferries cancelled, power outages as wind warning in effect for Metro Vancouver
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2019 22:00:42 +0000
High winds on B.C.’s South Coast forced led to cancellations, power outages, and the closure of Stanley Park in Vancouver on Friday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada upgraded a special weather statement to a wind warning for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, parts of Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands on Friday, saying strong winds of up to 90 km/h may cause damage.
The federal weather agency says the western sections of Metro Vancouver, as well as the Southern Gulf Islands winds have shifted sharply to northwest 50 to 70 km/h.
Near the water, the agency said wind gusts up to 90 km/h are possible. The strong winds should ease by Friday night.
WIND WARNINGS are in effect for Victoria and Western parts of Metro Vancouver, winds are already picking up. The Fraser Valley and Eastern Metro Vancouver will also see gusty winds beginning later this morning. Details: https://t.co/UqoF79y8YB #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/X6NqnRPZ4m
The Vancouver park board said Stanley Park was closed Friday due to the impact of high winds, as well as the VanDusen Botanical Garden, which hopes to reopen at 5pm for the VanDusen Glow in the Garden, an annual Halloween event.
Meanwhile B.C. Ferries cancelled the 1 p.m. Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay sailing and 2 p.m. Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay because of the adverse weather. 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. sailings to both harbours have since been cancelled as well, and officials now estimate a four-sailing wait as lines continue to grow at the ferry terminal.
The wind has also brought trees down across Metro Vancouver, leading to power outages in the region. Shortly after noon Friday, B.C. Hydro was reporting more than 14,000 customers in the Lower Mainland and more than 35,000 in the Thompson Shuswap region were without power.
This didn’t just happen right in front of me. Wow!!! Burnaby St and Nicola St… Good thing I wasn’t under it!! #bcstorm #treedown @CityofVancouver @NEWS1130Traffic @50ShadesofVan pic.twitter.com/262rNVO4Zm
Tree down at Dude Chilling Park. Watch out #vancouver it's windy out… pic.twitter.com/9GO1TCzmbD
Meantime, the nasty storm sweeping across much of British Columbia also brought heavy snow to the central and northeastern parts of the province.
Snow is blanketing the Peace region, Bulkley Valley and higher elevations of Highway 97, with as much as 15 centimetres expected. B.C. Hydro’s website shows more than 3,000 northern customers were without power as trees snap power lines.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
-With files from Harrison Mooney, The Canadian Press
Stanley Park is currently closed to the public, due to the impact of high winds. You can report any tree or traffic signal issues using VanConnect or by calling 3-1-1. #Vancouver #StanleyPark pic.twitter.com/LwpaK7xI9G