An unprecedented deadly storm is hitting B.C. Weather experts called the storm a "bomb cyclone, more powerful and dangerous than ordinary storms.
Deadly hurricane makes landfall in BC
On Monday, October 25, Environment Canada issued an emergency gale warning to select cities in the Greater Vancouver region. Winds of 70-90 km/h are expected in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond and delta, with winds even reaching 100 km/h in areas close to the water.
Other parts of the Lower Mainland, including Surrey and Langley, have also issued special weather statements.
Dave Phillips, senior meteorologist at Environment Canada, said, "This is a historic storm, almost equivalent to the power of a hurricane. The storm can bring rough waves up to 12 meters high. It's deadly enough! ”
Strong winds were accompanied by heavy rain. Rainfall is expected to be 50-75 mm in the Lower Mainland and 100–150 mm in the mountains west and North Shore of Vancouver Island.
Residents were severely affected
Some residents' houses were hit by storms, and trees collapsed and smashed roofs and windows.
There were also blown down trees that broke power lines, causing fires, and all nearby residents lost power in their homes.
The store vents are blown off directly.
Drive well on the road, only to be poured by the storm and see nothing.
The reporters who went to cover the storm were also blown into the wind and messy...
In this storm, many BC residents have experienced a moment of horror...
Resident Mike Vermette said: "When the storm came, I heard a loud noise and a branch went straight through the roof and stuck between my legs. ”
Another resident, Gwen Johnston, had her bedroom roof smashed through by a collapsed oak tree, hitting her bed. "If I had been in bed, I might have died by now." It's scary! ”
Dave Phillips, senior meteorologist at Environment Canada, cautioned the public not to go out of curiosity to watch storms in dangerous areas such as the coast – "it's a weather disaster that is life-threatening".
Tens of thousands of homes lost power
Environment Canada warns that B.C. residents should prepare for sudden disasters such as power outages, tree collapses, and mudslides.
According to BC Hydra, 10,000 homes on the Sunshine Coast have lost power; Vancouver Island is even more severe, with more than 30,000 homes without power.
On Monday morning alone, thousands more homes lost power.
BC Hydro staff said: "After receiving the impact of the storm, we needed to remove a branch from the line, or re-lay the wires or even carry out a full pole replacement. It's really hard to predict how much damage this storm will cause. ”
"Customers should always have an emergency kit with supplies that last at least 72 hours, including water, non-perishable food, flashlights and spare batteries."
BC Ferries suspended most routes
As a result of the storm, BC Ferries announced the cancellation of most major routes on Monday, October 25. Routes from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, Tsawwassen to Swarts Bay, Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, and Comox to Powell River were affected.
BC Ferries reminds the public that it is important to go to the website in advance to confirm before taking the ferry these two days.
The origin of the "bomb hurricane"
Storms have been accumulating in the Pacific Ocean for the past few days. Environment Canada has issued a special weather notice on October 23 to warn residents of the Lower Mainland to be aware of heavy rain and winds. But until October 25, the storm not only did not get better, but worse.
Meteorological experts say the storm is called a "bomb hurricane" because its central pressure has deepened rapidly in a short period of time, reaching 24 millibars in 24 hours. For hurricanes and tornadoes, lower the central pressure means higher wind speed and more power.
Meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe said the storm was different because it lasted longer, and usually such a bad hurricane only lasted a few hours, but this storm in BC has been going on for three days.
(The video images in this article are all taken from Twitter)