B.C. cleans up after windstorm
Last Updated Sun, 05 Feb 2006 12:17:24 EST
CBC News
Crews were still clearing debris and repairing hydro lines a day after a windstorm described as the worst to hit southwestern British Columbia in more than 30 years.
B.C. Hydro said about 5,000 homes and businesses remained without power Sunday morning along the coast, just south of Vancouver.
The storm battered the region with gusts hitting 110 km/hr. High winds combined with a high tide to send water over a sea wall and into the streets and backyards of Delta and Tsawwassen.
Lorriane Clenehan woke Saturday to find the surf pounding at the door of her Boundary Bay home.
"The waves were coming about 30 or 40 feet high over the seawall, halfway down my yard, which is like 200 feet deep, and then going over the hedge and into the farmer's field next door," she said.
About 200 people were told to leave their homes and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson declared a state of emergency. At the height of the storm, about 50 residents actually left their homes.
"[The storm surge] absolutely slammed against everything that was in sight," Jackson said. "And, of course, the water just roared through everything. It was a very powerful storm."
By Sunday morning, the wind had died down and Jackson described the high tide as "manageable," with the help of fire crews and their pumps.
Vancouver Island was also hit hard and several ferry runs were cancelled.
Last Tuesday, another windstorm battered the island, knocking out power to about 50,000 homes and businesses.
Saturday's storm was even worse in Washington State. At its height, nearly 200,000 homes and businesses were without power. It would be late Sunday before all the power is restored, officials in the state said.
South of Kingston, Wash., the tides and winds were strong enough to knock one house off its foundation.
Amtrak train service between Vancouver and Seattle was to be suspended for the weekend while crews assess damage to tracks from flooding. There was also a mudslide over the tracks north of Seattle.
CBC News
Crews were still clearing debris and repairing hydro lines a day after a windstorm described as the worst to hit southwestern British Columbia in more than 30 years.
B.C. Hydro said about 5,000 homes and businesses remained without power Sunday morning along the coast, just south of Vancouver.
The storm battered the region with gusts hitting 110 km/hr. High winds combined with a high tide to send water over a sea wall and into the streets and backyards of Delta and Tsawwassen.
Lorriane Clenehan woke Saturday to find the surf pounding at the door of her Boundary Bay home.
"The waves were coming about 30 or 40 feet high over the seawall, halfway down my yard, which is like 200 feet deep, and then going over the hedge and into the farmer's field next door," she said.
About 200 people were told to leave their homes and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson declared a state of emergency. At the height of the storm, about 50 residents actually left their homes.
"[The storm surge] absolutely slammed against everything that was in sight," Jackson said. "And, of course, the water just roared through everything. It was a very powerful storm."
By Sunday morning, the wind had died down and Jackson described the high tide as "manageable," with the help of fire crews and their pumps.
Vancouver Island was also hit hard and several ferry runs were cancelled.
Last Tuesday, another windstorm battered the island, knocking out power to about 50,000 homes and businesses.
Saturday's storm was even worse in Washington State. At its height, nearly 200,000 homes and businesses were without power. It would be late Sunday before all the power is restored, officials in the state said.
South of Kingston, Wash., the tides and winds were strong enough to knock one house off its foundation.
Amtrak train service between Vancouver and Seattle was to be suspended for the weekend while crews assess damage to tracks from flooding. There was also a mudslide over the tracks north of Seattle.
posted by Traveller at 2:51 PM
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