BC Ferries service getting back on track

tiffiant

BC Ferries service getting back on track
Some sailings were cancelled earlier today because of high winds
News1130 Staff Mar 02, 2011 13:06:46 PM
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•Wicked wind storm headed our way
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - BC Ferries service between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island is getting back on track after a big windstorm today. Many travellers were stranded, waiting for the boats to return to their regular runs.

High winds forced the scrubbing of all sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen and Duke Point, and between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay from late this morning and into the afternoon.

BC Ferries predicts a bit of a backlog and hasn't ruled out adding extra sailings.

Meanwhile, BC Hydro was dealing with wind storm caused power outages across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast.

During the worst of the storm, 18,000 homes and businesses on the Lower Mainland were left without service, but that began to tail off dramatically by the early afternoon.

BC Hydro's Simi Heer says there is a handy new service customers can use to stay up to date.

"For the latest information, I encourage people to check bchydro.com on their mobile devices. We have a great new mobile app, which provides up-to-date information and up-to-date restoration times."

Hydro says it managed to get a quicker handle on things as those sustained winds we were warned about didn't materialize.


YVR


Storm-related delays have begun at YVR. The airport says float-plane operators have cancelled a number of flights because of the wind.

If your travel planes include a float-plane, you're urged to check with your airline before heading to the terminal. Helijet hasn't cancelled any of its connections yet, but is experiencing delays.

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You can get updates on the YVR website.


Strong winds keep skiers and snowboarders off the slopes

The heavy wind is complicating plans for some skiers and snowboarders.

Joffrey Koeman with Cypress Mountain says it is too blustery for most of its lifts right now, but the bunny hill is open. "We're standing by to open all the chairlifts as soon as the conditions allow, and talking to Environment Canada all the time to see what the wind is going to do..."

William Mbaho with Grouse Mountain says its gondola and other lifts are on standby until 3 p.m. "Our operations team is monitoring the wind conditions very carefully. Right now, our preference is to not operate them and keep them on stand-by for safety reasons."



City of Vancouver warning


If you have hatches, and you know how to batten, get to work!

There's enough power in the predicted gusts to damage property, marinas, and neighbourhoods. The City of Vancouver is urging you to secure your garbage bans, recycling bins, patio furniture, and any construction material you may have lying around; they could get blown around and cause injury or damage.


News1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says despite wind speeds hitting hurricane strength in some areas, this doesn't compare to the wind storm five years ago that hammered Stanley Park.

"In December of 2006, that wind storm produced wind speeds of 95 km/hr, with a few higher gusts into triple digits and that wind came in from the west, which does present a much more damaging scenario. Today's gale has come in from the south-east, giving gusts of 80-90 km/hr, the prime targets being the beaches around Greater Vancouver and the border and the winds will be gradually easing through the afternoon."

tiffiant

Waves at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal March 2, 2011.