Quick cleanup in Victoria after powerful storm
Property owners are assessing the aftermath of a powerful storm on Vancouver Island’s south coast that sent waves crashing over seawalls, closing some roads and walkways a day earlier.
“We tested the marina infrastructure to its max,” says Victoria International Marina CEO Craig Norris.
The moorage centre for luxury yachts in Victoria’s inner harbour sustained severe damage to its gangway.
“It’s pretty much hanging in the water, and that was what constant wave action for really ten hours looks like,” says Norris. “The good news is none of the boats had any damage to them. Our crews were walking the docks every half-hour to double check – and they were needed. There was lines snapping and breaking and fenders popping.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada says a low pressure system near Vancouver Island created a storm surge, and it was paired with high tides and strong winds.
“Juan de Fuca was cranking up to 115 km/h yesterday. It even affected Fairfield as it curled up towards Haro Strait, 104 km/h gusts [were] measured at the Fairfield station in Gonzalez,” says warning preparedness meteorologist, Armel Castellan.
The meteorologist says the tide is even higher on Wednesday, but fewer waves, less wind and reduced pressure has brought down the storm surge for a non-event.
Harbour Air flights were again taking off in Victoria Wednesday. And people walking through low-lying areas that had experienced flooding on Jan. 9, such as Victoria’s breakwater near Ogden Point and Oak Bay’s McNeill Bay, say they’re impressed by a seemingly quick cleanup.
“It’s 100 per cent,” says Rob Harvey outside the Surf Motel. “The city were right on it cleaning up the roadway like that.”
A spokesperson for the City of Victoria says crews were out early and had the stretch along Dallas Road between Oswego and South Turner streets re-opened at 5 a.m.
“Crews are assessing storm damage along the lower walkway at Holland Point Park,” says Colleen Mycroft. “The City asks residents to use caution in the area and obey any closure signs.”
The CEO of the Victoria International Marina says he would like to see another breakwater added to the inner harbour to address a climate where storms are getting worse. The marina is unsure how long it’ll take to fix the damage to its site.
“We did have Point Hope come down and build us a nice little staircase so we could all get on and off, including our customers, so that was a big deal to make sure they have the freedom to move,” says Norris.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Loblaw boycott organizers say they plan to keep movement going past May
The organizers of a month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores say they've decided to extend the boycott past May.