Weekend storm leads to ferry cancellations, highway closure, and BC Transit detours

The combination of snowfall and strong winds have wreaked havoc on Vancouver Island this Saturday.

According to Environment Canada, the 90 km/h wind gusts from Friday night are continuing well into today, with no predictions for when they will ease up.

The wind storm has not only caused nearly 30,000 southern Vancouver Island BC Hydro customers to lose power, it has also made travel conditions extremely difficult for residents.

BC Ferries updates

BC Ferries has cancelled several sailings to and from the island in light of damage caused by the wind, and safety concerns during the passage.

Here are the ferries’ service notices for Vancouver Island as of approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday.

• The Queen of Oak Bay vessel from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) has been re-routed back to Nanaimo due to significant dock damage in the Swell’s Marina neighbouring Horseshoe Bay, as well as high winds.
  The vessel will hold in dock until weather subsides and it is safe to sail.
• The Queen of Cowichan vessel from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) has also been re-routed for the same reasons mentioned above.
  The vessel will hold in dock until weather subsides and it is safe to sail.
• The MV Klitsa from Brentwood to Mill Bay has cancelled two sailings – 11:00 am departing Brentwood Bay, and 11:35 am departing Mill Bay – due to high winds.
• The MV Kuper with service to Chemainus, Penelakut Island, and Thetis Island has cancelled all sailings for the rest of the day due to an issue with one of its propellers.
  A 10-passenger water taxi will shuttle between Chemainus, Penekalut Island, and Thetis Island weather permitting.

Sailings from Tsawwassen have been unaffected thus far.

Check the BC Ferries website or Twitter feed for updates.

Road conditions

Highway 14 going through Sooke is closed in both directions until 6 p.m. or until further notice due to downed power lines.

The same highway between Sooke and Port Renfrew is also closed because of a downed tree between Cerantes Road and Blackfish Road.

No accidents have been reported today – not even on the Malahat, which saw a plethora of vehicles spinning out of control on Friday.

The City of Victoria is warning drivers to exercise caution due to slippery winter driving conditions. According to a tweet, Victoria city crews have been clearing main arterial roads and putting ice melt on sidewalks since 4 a.m.

BC Transit updates

BC Transit routes have also been affected by downed power lines, trees, and power outages this morning.

Here are the crown corporation’s service notices for today:

• No service in both directions for Route 61 between Langford and Sooke
• Route 59 and 60, which were previously unable to service Triangle Mountain, are back on their regular route as of 12:23 p.m.
• Route 54 has been detoured to travel along William Head Rd, Lombard Dr and Rocky Point Rd.
• Route 53 has been detoured to travel along the following path:
  • To Colwood: Veterans Memorial Parkway, Hoffman Ave, Winster Rd, Atkins Ave, and then back to regular route
  • To Langford: Atkins Ave, Winister Rd, Hoffman Ave, Veterans Memorial Parkway and then back to regular route
• Route 56 and 57 are unable to reach Phelps Avenue and Treanor Avenue due to a downed tree.
  After the Gourman & Goldie Loop, buses will bypass Phelps Avenue, continue down Bellamy Rd, turn left on Treanor Ave, and then return to the regular route.
• Route 52 has been detoured due to downed power lines, and will travel along the following path:
  From Milburn Dr, Left on Aloha Ave, Left on Lagoon Rd, then back to the regular route.

If you’re concerned about travel plans, check your route on the BC Transit website for updates.