Thousands without power as wind storm batters B.C. coast

Strong winds gusting up to115 km/h have left 190,000 people without poweron B.C.'s South Coast on Monday.

The force of the storm whipped around branches, uprooted trees andknocked down power lines.

B.C. Hydro spokeswoman Elisha Moreno said the severity ofthe storm caught the utility by surprise.

"We didn't expect the winds to be as strong," she said.

Moreno said some customers should prepare to spend at least a night without power.

Meanwhile, falling trees prompted the closureof the Stanley Park Causeway andStanley Park Drive on Monday, which for a short time blocked access to the Lions Gate Bridge.

Several BC Ferries sailings between the Northern Gulf Islands were cancelled and a number of sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island were delayed.

Traffic lights were out at many Lower Mainland intersections, causing heavy traffic jams throughout the area.