Tree falls on SkyTrain tracks, ferries cancelled, power outages as wind warning in effect for Metro Vancouver
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2019 01:21:33 +0000
High winds on B.C.’s South Coast have led to cancellations, power outages, SkyTrain delays, 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.
Power outages mapped by BCHydro Oct. 25, 2019.
As of 5 p.m., the wind warning remains in effect, though the strong, gusty winds are expected to ease later this evening.
The federal weather agency says the winds have shifted sharply to northwest 50 to 70 km/h for western sections of Metro Vancouver, as well as in the Southern Gulf Islands.
Near the water, the agency said wind gusts up to 90 km/h are possible.
On Friday evening, TransLink announced SkyTrain disruptions on the Expo Line after a tree fell on the guideway, shutting down service between Metrotown and Commercial-Broadway Stations.
For the meantime, Expo Line trains are turning back at Commercial-Broadway and Metrotown Stations.
TransLink has deployed extra buses to cover the disruption. Commuters can also switch to the Millennium Line at Commercial-Broadway Station and transfer back to the Expo Line at Production Way or Lougheed.
#SkyTrain Expo Line service between Commercial Broadway and Metrotown is suspended. Trains operating between Waterfront-Commerical & Metrotown-King George. Passengers traveling to/from Production will have to transfer at New West. Canada/M-Line unaffected. ^tm
The Millennium and Canada Lines are unaffected.
The Vancouver park board said Stanley Park was closed Friday due to the impact of high winds. The causeway remains open. The Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train has also been temporarily closed, as well as the VanDusen Botanical Garden, which hopes to reopen at 5 p.m. for the VanDusen Glow in the Garden, an annual Halloween event.
Meanwhile B.C. Ferries cancelled several departures. At the time of this writing, all sailings between Vancouver and Victoria were cancelled through 5 p.m. Sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo were cancelled through 6:30 p.m.
Sailings to the Sunshine Coast were also impacted by high winds. They will continue through the evening on a modified schedule. Those with reservations should consult the BC Ferries website for the updated departure times.
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 5 p.m. Friday, B.C. Hydro was reporting outages to about 120,500 customers.
circumnavigation of fallen tree #vancouver #windstorm pic.twitter.com/A2gT1P7dGO
The hardest hit areas are the Southern Interior, Lower Mainland, and northern Vancouver Island, the utility said. Crews are continuing to work to repair damaged equipment, including power lines, power poles and transformers.
That wind in Vancouver was so bad today, it blew my neighbours fence over and their kiwi tree landed on my dads car 🤦🏽♂️ #vancouver @CTVVancouver @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/q9Hhv7UeLS
Glad I wasn't walking by when this happened. Crazy. #windstorm #Vancouver #notmycar #climatechangestrikesback #ClimateStrikeVancouver pic.twitter.com/THSZ4Qb7OA
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 B.C. 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 said the snow storm in the Peace region has also resulted in outages to customers in Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and Smithers.
-With files from 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