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Storm cuts power, downs branches around the Island

The wind and rainstorm that swept through the region overnight Tuesday left as many as 7,000 capital region customers without power for a few hours during the morning on Wednesday. B. C.
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A large branch that broke off an oak tree during a storm Tuesday night blocked Gladstone Avenue in Fernwood. While more showers are expected today, they are expected to end by the afternoon.

The wind and rainstorm that swept through the region overnight Tuesday left as many as 7,000 capital region customers without power for a few hours during the morning on Wednesday.

B. C. Hydro spokesman Ted OIynyk said customers in areas of Victoria and Courtenay experiences the most power outages on the Island.

“It was sort of the kick-off to our storm season,” he said.

For B.C. Ferries, the bulk of the storm came after its daily sailings had ended, but winds kept one vessel from docking on time. The Queen of New Westminster was carrying 28 passengers from Duke Point to Tsawwassen late Tuesday when high winds delayed the scheduled docking to 3 a.m. from 12:45 a.m.

“They did abort the landing and basically just stood off the terminal until the winds died down so they could dock safely,” said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.

Marshall said the wind also led to power outages at a number of terminals, including on Pender Island, Saturna Island and Cortes Island, and at Horseshoe Bay.

The city of Victoria recorded only a few reports of fallen branches.

Victoria cleanup crews did not have any post-storm flooding to deal with, said spokeswoman Katie Hamilton, but there was pooling in areas where leaves collected in catch basins.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist said some of the top gusts were at Tsawwassen, with 85 kilometre-per-hour winds, and Saturna with 116 km/h.

A 63 km/h gust was recorded about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at Victoria International Airport.

“Late September usually through October and November, we can get those really gusty winds with these storms,” said Lundquist, adding another storm could be arriving Saturday.

jwbell@timescolonist.com