Surrey Woman Killed by Falling Tree During Saturday’s BC Windstorm

Reports indicate that there has been a fatality following a severe windstorm that struck the coast of British Columbia on Saturday.

Authorities in Surrey were alerted to an incident where a woman was struck by a falling tree and tragically lost her life earlier in the day.

The storm has resulted in widespread power outages, although BC Hydro has been working to restore power to approximately 265,000 customers.

Environment Canada issued warnings of strong winds reaching 70 kilometers per hour in the Metro Vancouver area, with gusts up to 100 kilometers per hour as a low-pressure system moved in.

Specific areas like Bowen Island, Lions Bay, West Vancouver to Boundary Bay, and Saturna Island are expected to experience gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour before tapering off in the evening.

Efforts are underway to clear debris on Highway 99 at Brunswick Beach, with crews anticipating work to continue until 9 a.m. on Sunday.

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The windstorm has caused damage such as power outages and fallen trees, with one incident involving a canopy tent in downtown Vancouver blowing off a building on Alberni Street.

Reports from the Vancouver Police Department indicate that the canopy tent struck two vehicles upon falling, although fortunately there were no reported injuries.

Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Tania Visintin mentioned that traffic control was managed by VPD while the object was cleared from the road.

Furthermore, there are warnings of coastal flooding for the Greater Victoria coastline and Vancouver Island coastline, prompting concerns about potential damage to buildings and infrastructure.

As of the latest update, around 30,000 customers remain without power, primarily in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and southern Vancouver Island, as BC Hydro continues efforts to address challenges posed by debris and adverse weather conditions.

BC Ferries has also experienced disruptions, necessitating the cancellation of several sailings due to high winds in the region, impacting travel between various destinations.

Various municipalities have taken precautionary measures, such as the closure of Stanley Park in Vancouver due to high winds and tree-related risks exacerbated by previous weather events.

Residents are advised to be prepared for storm surges along B.C.’s south coast, which could lead to coastal flooding and elevated water levels in vulnerable areas.

Furthermore, communities like Sidney, located near Victoria, have issued alerts urging residents to avoid certain areas at risk of storm surges and high tides, potentially causing coastal flooding and hazardous conditions.

Preventative measures and monitoring are in place to mitigate the impact of the ongoing severe weather conditions, with authorities closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary updates to the public.