Branches are flying and trees are falling throughout the city.
The inevitable storm has hit BC’s South Coast and taken many trees down with it, leading to more than 60,000 homes without power so far. BC Hydro says crews are working to assess the damage and will restore power “as quickly and safely as possible.”
Environment Canada reported that winds are expected to reach up to 90 km/hr by late afternoon on Friday.
Wind warnings are in effect for Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, the Southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast, and most of Vancouver Island.
Though the gusts will slow down by the evening, expect another powerful storm to roll through late Saturday.
Many people throughout the city have taken to Twitter to discuss the storm and report fallen trees/outages:
— Kami Grovue (@KamiHResources) October 14, 2016
A prompt ‘F-You’ to Mother Nature today… #BCStorm #YYJ #YVR
— Caroline Bleay (@cdbleay) October 14, 2016
I’m keeping a close eye on the monkey tree outside my house, especially after I saw pics of a friend’s house: #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/ElKcjhSuDD
— Tara Jean Stevens (@TaraJeanFM) October 14, 2016
.@bchydro power is out on the north end of Shawnigan Lake. #BCStorm
— CowValleyBiker (@cowvalleybiker) October 14, 2016
Crews clearing downed tree at Dunsmuir & Cambie. #BCStorm @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/afBrlKRFyS
— Jill Bennett (@jillreports) October 14, 2016
Almost got hit by a falling tree ? came closer to a mother and toddler tho.. Hello heart attack… #BCStorm
— Carly Fyvie (@CarlyFyvie) October 14, 2016
Better view of tree fallen on Cambie at Dunsmuir. Should be cleared soon. #BCStorm @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/C1gPeWWOcz
— Jill Bennett (@jillreports) October 14, 2016
Tree that smashed into house just metres from where city arborist was killed by falling branch months ago. pic.twitter.com/ebXxTqNAJQ
— Jill Bennett (@jillreports) October 14, 2016
And the winds have only just started ? #Vancouver @bchydro #Kitsilano #MetroVan @604Now #PowerOutage pic.twitter.com/sacQF1jOCD
— Tanya Gallagher (@TanyaLGallagher) October 14, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLj3qbZh1oQ/?tagged=bcstorm
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLl-utlhDQm/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLl_sf7j9dw/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLkJKpiAI69/
And some worry about the ferries…
wondering if my 7:20pm ferry from Tsawwassen to Galiano is gonna be cancelled tonight @BCFerries #BCStorm
— Cory Matheson (@PSFcory) October 14, 2016
BC Ferries tweeted that sailings have been cancelled, and ferries sailing both ways Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay and Duke Point are being held until the winds let up.
#ServiceNotice#Tsawwassen / #SouthernGulfIslands #QueenofNanaimo cxld sailings for rest of day due to weather: https://t.co/c4O74aowwt ^ef
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) October 14, 2016
If you thought the storms were scary today, Saturday is supposed to be even rougher with winds up to 100 km/hr and even more rainfall expected.
Plan a weekend of indoor activities and buy lots of candles – just in case your power decides to go out, too.