A massive tree toppled along the shores of Harrison Lake as high winds slammed through Agassiz-Harrison and all throughout the Lower Mainland.
Most residents seemed to brush off the windstorm on Monday (Nov. 4), dismissing it as a breeze and making preparations ahead of time.
"I secured everything, even taking all pillows off patio furniture and putting them away," wrote Reta Buchanan. "I haven't lost anything, just secure it as best as you can."
"Thankfully I’m a rock hound and my deck is full of rocks, which are holding things down," said Angela Giesbrecht.
According to a weather summary from Weather Canada, Herbert Island – a tiny island off the far north coast of Vancouver Island – recorded the highest winds of the day at 108 km/h, followed close behind with Victoria Gonzales Point at 107 km/h and Point Atkinson Lighthouse at 106 km/h. By comparison, winds measured at the Agassiz weather station hit gusts of about 57 km/h. The Agassiz-Harrison area recorded a stronger gust of wind a few weeks before on Oct. 26 when winds reached nearly 59 km/h.
B.C. Hydro reported Monday's high winds knocked out power for approximately 290,000 customers across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. As of Tuesday morning, restoration efforts were still underway with about 16,000 customers still in the dark.
– With files from Canadian Press
