70,000+ homes in Metro Vancouver without power overnight from windstorm
Over 70,000 customers in Metro Vancouver lost their electricity overnight from the potent frontal system that brought fierce hurricane force winds.
Wind gusts reached speeds of 120 km/h, knocking down trees and power lines to cause widespread outages in nearly every municipality in the region. Tree branches and foliage have been scattered across roads and there are several reports of property damage from trees falling on vehicles and homes.
Some residents are stuck in their homes after live wires fell on their property. Trolley wires also fell at several locations, including at Fraser Street and 37th Avenue, and are being repaired. SkyTrain remained operational late last night in areas that lost power.
The Lions Gate Bridge was closed when a tree fell over on the Stanley Park Causeway, but it has since reopened to traffic.
At the moment, as of 8 a.m., about 16,000 customers are still without power, but BC Hydro that their power should be restored sometime later this morning.
Last night’s windstorm was the final storm of B.C.’s subtropical storm parade week. The initial systems brought much rain to the South Coast while the last few remaining storms delivered high winds.
A break from inclement weather is expected this weekend before more rain arrives beginning next Tuesday.
This Windy with George Labovich #vancouver #wind https://t.co/Bt2pZm1VeQ
— Abdul Ali (@AbdulAliof3AM) December 12, 2014
@News1130radio stuck on the causeway heading north over lions gate bridge pic.twitter.com/iH6oObyXbA
— James Ryder (@jamesryder007) December 12, 2014
#Vancouver Fire crews have cut up a tree on E 53rd Ave & Main St after it fell on a car. pic.twitter.com/zG6tOD5Bh2 — Stuck (@stucktweet) December 12, 2014
Oh wow, now up to over 66,000 in Lower Mainland without power… #bcstorm #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/s2BvaRubPr
— Farhan Mohamed (@farhanmohamed) December 12, 2014
That last gust of #wind shook my building… #yvr #Vancouver #windstorm #windwarning
— John Entwistle (@from_thejohn) December 12, 2014
Crazy wild wind outside…lights flickering…the wind chimes heard from a distance. #Vancouver #windstorm
— Georgina ジョージナ (@gogogotchi) December 12, 2014
To sleep, perchance to drown out the sounds of the howling wind. #bcstorm #Vancouver
— Dr. H (@IdleHistorian) December 12, 2014
#BCHydro has finally shown up to 7800 Heather St in #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/L40UUQG5MR
— Stuck (@stucktweet) December 12, 2014
Feature Image: @jamesryder007 via Twitter
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