Windstorm Lashes Victoria – falling trees, power outages, public advised stay indoors

Around 5:30PM, Sunday March 13, BC Hydro were dealing with nearly 14,000 residences without power across the Greater Victoria Area – including parts of Colwood, Saanich, James Bay, Oak Bay, Esquimalt and Sooke, as an intense storm hit the region.

Environment Canada had issued warnings that a powerful storm was expected.

Trees began falling across the city, shortly after 5PM, as wind gusts up to 90km/hr pounded the GVA. Reports came in of branches falling on unoccupied cars, across roads and in people’s yards.

Windstorm Lashes GVA

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BC Ferries saw many delayed sailings. The 4pm sailing of the Queen of New Westminster, bound for Swartz Bay, was running 37 minutes behind schedule due to the adverse weather conditions. Passengers aboard the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay ferry reported hearing the captain over the intercom advising, “Brace for impact,” a few seconds before the ferry hit pilings, while leaving Tsawwassen terminal.

Police departments across the GVA advised the public to stay indoors and also avoid driving during the windstorm.

Update:The wind warning has been lifted.