B.C.'s powerful windstorm in pictures

Windstorm caused havoc and destruction in southwest B.C. Thursday

Image | B.C. Storm Dec 20

Caption: Wind damage in the Maple Ridge area on Dec. 20, 2018. (Shane Mackichan)

A powerful windstorm that pounded southern British Columbia all day Thursday left one woman dead, hundreds of thousands without power, and plenty of property destruction in its wake.

Image | Storm damage Dec. 20

Caption: A giant tree uprooted and crashed into a house at W 15th Avenue and Yukon Street in Vancouver during the windstorm. (Dan Burritt/CBC)

Winds of up to 100 km/h battered parts of the province, sending branches and outdoor structures flying and uprooting decades-old trees.
Hundreds of thousands of B.C. Hydro customers were affected by power outages. Crews will continue to work until power is restored.
The BC Coroners Service said a woman in Duncan died after her tent was hit by a falling tree.

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The picturesque White Rock pier fell victim to the winds as powerful waves ripped out a gaping chunk of the structure, leaving a man trapped on the other end. He was later rescued by helicopter.

Image | White Rock pier

Caption: A person had to be rescued from the White Rock pier after it was partially destroyed in Thursday's windstorm. (Max McGratten)

Image | White Rock rescue

Caption: A Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter rescued a man from the White Rock pier on Thursday afternoon after a storm broke the pier apart. (Tom Ewasiuk/Twitter/@residualimage)

BC Ferries cancelled numerous sailings due to the heavy wind conditions, and airport operations at Vancouver International Airport were affected.
All travellers are advised to check before leaving.

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Environment Canada said the winds were expected to ease Thursday evening.

Image | Storm damage Dec. 20

Caption: Debris from fallen trees and branches litter a road in Maple Ridge. (Shane Mackichan)

Image | Storm damage Dec. 20

Caption: Firefighters survey damage in Maple Ridge during a storm. (Shane Mackichan)