Widespread power outages, cruise cancellation as windstorm hits Vancouver Island
Tens of thousands of BC Hydro customers across Vancouver Island were without power Wednesday as Environment Canada forecasted wind gusts over 100 km/h.
Wind warnings were active for East Vancouver Island and Greater Victoria, while a less severe special weather statement was issued for Inland Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada says very strong southeasterly winds will shift to southwesterly winds by the afternoon and carry into the evening.
With strong winds battering the east coast, the City of Nanaimo closed all its municipal parks just after noon due to concerns about falling debris and trees.
"Please stay away from all treed areas while high winds persist," said the city in a social media post.
The city's fears are not unfounded. On Wednesday afternoon, two large trees were filmed falling onto a home in Nanaimo.
The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre was also closed due to a power outage Wednesday afternoon.
Winds toppled a tree on the Patricia Bay Highway near Elk Lake in Saanich before 10 a.m. The B.C. Ministry of Transportation warned of traffic delays in the area as crews cleared the debris.
A cruise ship that was due to arrive at Victoria's Ogden Point Wednesday evening was cancelled due to the dangers of high winds.
The Norwegian Sun is pictured docked at Victoria’s Ogden Point on May 9, 2022. (CTV News)
Brian Cant with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said the decision to cancel the arrival was made by the operators of the Norwegian Sun.
"It needs to be safe for a vessel to tie up at a pier," Cant said in an email to CTV News.
Harbour Air Seaplanes, which operates out of the Victoria Inner Harbour, also warned of delays and possible cancellations due to stormy conditions.
Early Wednesday morning, Environment Canada warned that "an unseasonably strong low-pressure system will make landfall on Vancouver Island early this morning bringing strong southeasterly winds and precipitation to the region."
OVERNIGHT OUTAGES
Roughly 50,000 BC Hydro customers were without power on Vancouver Island and the nearby Gulf Islands Wednesday afternoon.
BC Hydro reported more than 25,000 customers in the Victoria and Gulf Islands region were without power as of 4:30 p.m., while nearly 24,000 more were without electricity on the North Island.
The energy provider says some customers should expect to be without power overnight.
"Crews have made good progress through the day, but due to fallen trees, road access has made it challenging for our crews," said BC Hydro in an update Wednesday afternoon.
"All available crews will be working through the night to restore power to affected customers but we expect small pockets of customers on the Gulf Islands and Duncan to be without power overnight."
McTavish Road was closed at Williams Road in North Saanich after wind knocked down power lines on Wednesday morning. (CTV News)
Environment Canada says residents should be prepared for potential damage.
"High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break," warned the weather agency.
"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds. Avoid wooded areas to prevent injury from falling trees or branches," added Environment Canada. "Campers should move to sturdy shelters."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.