Windstorm blasts B.C.'s south coast

Winds gusting up to nearly 100 kilometres an hour tore across the south coast of B.C. on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, cutting power to thousands and creating traffic problems across the region. 

Some houses were damaged by falling trees and three boats were washed up on Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver.

Hydro crews hoped to have all the power restored to about 6,000 customers in Metro Vancouver, southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by noon at the latest.

Road crews were working to remove downed trees on several major routes around the Lower Mainland, and traffic was also affected in many area because of power cuts to traffic lights, particularly in the South Surrey, Delta and University of British Columbia areas.

Wind warnings remain posted along parts of the south coast Thursday morning, and thunder, lightning, hail and even snow were reported even as adjacent areas were bathed in sunshine.

The storm was expected to subside later Thursday morning in most areas, except the west coast of Vancouver Island.