B.C. storm leaves thousands without power, triggers avalanche warnings
Vancouver Island bears brunt of windstorm leaving thousands without power
Avalanche warnings are in effect throughout the B.C. Interior today as the coastal storm that brought significant rainfall overnight moves inland and turns to snow.
The storm was accompanied by strong winds that left at one point left 25,000 B.C. Hydro customers without power. Vancouver Island was the hardest hit. There were also power outages in parts of the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast.
Power to many areas was restored by noon, although areas of Central and North Saanich were without power until 6 p.m. PT according to B.C. Hydro.
Environment Canada says the storm will generate another 25 mm of rain in the Fraser Valley Sunday bringing the total rainfall in the valley from the storm to about 50 mm. It says localized flooding in some areas is possible.
Heavy snow is forecast for highway passes in B.C. with the Coquihalla Highway expected to receive up to 30 cm of snow by Monday morning.
The Pacific frontal system moving across the B.C. Interior will also bring 10 to 15 cm of snow to Roger`s Pass and a further 10 to 15 cm to Alison and Kootenay Passes along Highway 3 today.
An Avalanche Canada map of the province shows avalanche danger ratings ranging from "considerable" to "high" throughout B.C.
The Trans-Canada Highway west of Revelstoke is closed until noon for avalanche control and the Kootenay Pass was closed for three hours for the same reason Sunday morning.