Windstorm lashes B.C.’s south coast

A powerful windstorm lashed B.C.’s south coast on Mar. 13, knocking down trees, cancelling ferries and leavings thousands without electricity, The Weather Network reports.

“Winds gusted over 100 km-h throughout the day on Monday and even reached hurricane strength in some places,” says Gerald Cheng, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.

At the height of the storm, around 120,000 homes and businesses across southern B.C. had no power. The wind also knocked down trees in Vancouver’s Stanley Park and forced a temporary closure after fallen debris blocked roads in the area.

Sea planes in Victoria were grounded, several bus routes and ferry sailings were cancelled and flights at Victoria Harbour Airport were grounded as well.

The storm also brought heavy snow to Whistler on Monday morning. Much of B.C. is already facing a high avalanche risk.

Wind damage is typically covered under homeowner policies, the Vancouver Sun quoted Serge Corbeil of the Insurance Bureau of Canada as saying. Optional comprehensive auto policies would cover vehicle damage such as a tree falling on a vehicle.

Boat owners might have policies that cover the expenses incurred when towing a boat off the rocks, but some boat owners only have liability coverage in their policies, particularly if they have older boats, the Vancouver Sun notes.