A powerful windstorm lashed the South Coast overnight, knocking out power to up to 70,000 homes at its peak and forcing BC Ferries to cancel all sailings to and from Horseshoe Bay.
BC Ferries issued a travel advisory on Saturday morning due to strong arctic outflow winds gusting to 90 km/h. The strong winds are expected to continue through the day over the Fraser Valley, southeastern Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Chronicling the demise of this dock on my insta story... @BCFerries looks like I won’t see my nephew and niece today 🙁 pic.twitter.com/qWyA5CR1oF
— Kevin Friesen (@kevin_friesen7) February 9, 2019
BC Ferries says Sewell's Marina took a significant amount of damage in the storm and high seas caused the breakwater barge to sink.
It says the high amount of debris in the water has made it unsafe to bring ferries in and out of the Horseshoe Bay terminal. The storm also caused boats, which were dry-docked on the barge to come loose and washup on the rocks on the shore.
Pretty sure that container is not meant to be floating in Horseshoe Bay. Also, 20 minute lineup to get refund at @BCFerries ticket booth. We'll try again another day to get up to Sechelt. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/32x6fxGLsF
— Chris Golden (@lyteforce) February 9, 2019
Meanwhile, BC Hydro is out in full force working to restore power to tens of thousands of homes. Some of the hardest hit areas for power outages and strong winds right now include Victoria International Airport, Colwood, Langford, Gulf Islands, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Surrey and Langley.
The high winds have caused damage across the Lower Mainland, taking off the roof of a home in Abbotsford and downing trees and powerlines in Maple Ridge and Coquitlam.
BC Hydro says crews are continuing to receive new trouble calls and outages in these areas and others which is adding to restoration efforts.
"Crews have been working through the night and this morning to restore power from the ongoing windstorm," BC Hydro wrote on Twitter.
"We continue to see strong winds and new outages in many areas this morning and right now just over 70,000 customers are without power."
If you’re experiencing an outage, try turning off unnecessary appliances & electronics to reduce the strain on the system when outage is restored. Leave one light turned on to let you know when power is back. #BCStorm https://t.co/wzvFZ1UZCY
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) February 9, 2019
Environment Canada issued severe weather warnings on Saturday morning which has resulted in the following BC Ferries sailing cancellations:
Langdale - Horseshoe Bay:
8:40 am departing Langdale
9:45 am departing Horseshoe Bay
10:50 am departing Langdale
11:55 am departing Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay - Snug Cove:
5:50 am departing Horseshoe Bay
6:20 am departing Snug Cove
6:50 am departing Horseshoe Bay
7:30 am departing Snug Cove
8:00 am departing Horseshoe Bay
8:35 am departing Snug Cove
9:05 am departing Horseshoe Bay
9:40 am departing Snug Cove
10:15 am departing Horseshoe Bay
10:50 am departing Snug Cove
Chemainus - Penelakut Island - Thetis Island:
7:10 am departing Chemainus
7:45 am departing Penelakut Island
8:05 am departing Thetis Island
8:40 am departing Chemainus
9:15 am departing Thetis Island
9:35 am departing Penelakut
All remaining sailings have been cancelled for the day due to a mechanical issue with one of the vessel's propellers. Water taxi service has been arranged, and will shuttle between Chemainus, Penekalut Island, and Thetis Island, weather permitting.
Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay
8:05 am departing Mill Bay
8:40 am departing Brentwood Bay
9:15 am departing Mill Bay
9:50 am departing Brentwood Bay
10:25 am departing Mill Bay
11:00 am departing Brentwood Bay
11:35 am departing Mill Bay
Go to current conditions for up to date information on all routes.
– Elisia Seeber, Vancouver Courier
