A powerful windstorm slammed into BC’s south coast on Thursday, roiling seas and toppling trees.
At the height of the storm, BC Hydro said more than 300,000 customers across the province had their power knocked out, with outages reported in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley as well as Vancouver Island.
BC Ferries cancelled all sailings for several hours Thursday morning, there were multiple delays and cancellations at the Vancouver International Airport, while a fallen tree on track level and high winds caused multiple SkyTrain delays.
One man had to be rescued by a helicopter from a damaged White Rock pier, while another man in Surrey was injured and a person in Duncan was killed by a falling tree.
As of 6 am on Friday morning, crews restored power to 400,000 customers since the windstorm began Thursday morning. About 160,000 customers in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands remain without power.
Here’s a look at some of the more dramatic videos and images from around the region showing the effects of Thursday’s high winds.
Hey neighbour, anchor down your Gazebo! You just never know. Lucky no damage to the garage roof. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/GWB51wucWr
— Todd (@todd_canaus) December 21, 2018
Before the #BCStorm 😒 & after. #beforeandafter #fraservalley #langley #myfirsthomepurchase #thoughtthetreeswerepretty pic.twitter.com/fdO2IOq9rN
— Ashley D (@HBKKrazed) December 21, 2018
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
This #bcstorm woke me up this morning, and let me tell you it was not Santa on my roof… 😂😖 waiting for the tornado warning .. lolllll #happybirthdaytome pic.twitter.com/AKikCBbzl5
— eho4 (@eho_4) December 20, 2018
Oh hey #Vancouver!👋🏻
It’s a bit #windy out there & it sounds like the rain is coming back…
If you’re on the road today 🚙,🚶🏽♂️, or 🚴🏼♀️, pls:
• slow down,
• give yourself extra time,
• pay attention to what’s happening around you! Don’t be distracted by your 📱#VPD #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/cCTbrUcuVB— Cst Anne-Marie Clark (@VPD2Fox15) December 20, 2018
Today’s #BCstorm is a little crazy in the @City_Abbotsford. This barn just went airborne. Watch out for flying debris. Stay inside if you can. @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/cLaEimL9LN
— Cst P Walker (@CstWalkerAPD) December 20, 2018
Have never seen waves this big in #whiterock! #bcstorm #photos604 #vancouver @NEWS1130 @cbcnewsbc pic.twitter.com/EsbojKMWlj
— Tyler Ingram (@TylerIngram) December 20, 2018
I had some lovely neighbours help me tie it down to a tree so it doesn’t fly into any windows or cars or people walking. Be safe everyone! #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/tZVqK8iqjD
— Zaineb (@zainebmolnar) December 20, 2018
VFRS’ Technical Rescue Team has secured scaffolding that dislodged in the wind & was leaning dangerously over E8th Ave. This team are incredible problem solvers & trained to safely access the most precarious situations. #vanspecialops #vfrs #cantf1 pic.twitter.com/CRMQKk51ab
— Vancouver Fire (@VanFireRescue) December 20, 2018
#bcstorm craziness at Tsawwassen pic.twitter.com/wM0KndcsjF
— pete edwards (@pete_gas) December 20, 2018
So this is going on right now. Grateful to firefighters who are on it while waiting for hydro. I’m picking up my boy and coffee. #BCstorm pic.twitter.com/HHptoOfQb4
— Heidi Cave (@heidicave) December 20, 2018
Dog walking almost became kite flying #BCstorm #windstorm #Burnaby pic.twitter.com/YaSHOwwFOH
— Jaybird (@janiceamandalee) December 20, 2018
Welp… today we mourn our tree. Powers out at mine… not sure what to do with myself 🤔 #BCstorm #nanaimo pic.twitter.com/0dSu4jQatt
— Joanne Dee (@JoanneOnAir) December 20, 2018
#BCStorm 4277 Kingsway, Burnaby pic.twitter.com/k0Q610ezzt
— A Canadian, Eh ! (@Xiamengerry) December 20, 2018
@NEWS1130 #bcstorm tree down in my backyard pic.twitter.com/Vh47RsybJr
— Amber Smith (@ambersmith22015) December 20, 2018
A tree fell in our neighbours yard causing my dads car trailer to rise. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/X1AX8X0auD
— angela (@orainbowx) December 20, 2018
#BCStorm @GlobalBC Hold onto your hat!! pic.twitter.com/DFoCzhtLtp
— James Grey (@JamesGrey7) December 20, 2018
#BCStorm @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/Mh88qzT7X1
— Mason Chan (@mase889) December 20, 2018
View this post on Instagram