The storm is in the record books for B.C- Winds were forecast to hit 50-90+ km/h
- MV Zim Kingston vessel encountered rough seas during its voyage across the Pacific
The West Coast of North America is reeling after a recent record-setting fall storm battered the seaboard with damaging winds, extreme rainfall, dangerous surf, flooding and even mudslides, reports Yahoo News.
About the Storm
The storm is in the record books for B.C. in terms of low pressure. It met the criteria of a weather bomb and set a new Pacific Northwest pressure record. Buoy 46005 recorded a pressure of 942.5 millibars (mb) on Sunday afternoon, surpassing the previous tally of 943 mb, recorded during post-tropical cyclone Harriet in 1977.
Winds were forecast to hit 50-90+ km/h in many parts of B.C. for a prolonged period of time, beginning Sunday and lasting through Monday. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released a summary Monday evening highlighting some of the highest gusts recorded so far:
- Solander: 113
- Race Rock: 99
- Discovery Island: 98
- Grief Point: 98
- Herbert Island: 97
- Victoria Kelp Reefs: 96
Impact of the storm
The result was downed trees and power lines, cutting electricity to thousands. The storm prompted wind warnings and special weather statements.
BC Hydro
According to BC Hydro, more than 16,000 customers were without power at one point, but the numbers are declining and the tally was near 10,000 as of Monday evening. As well, because of the winds impacting Vancouver Island and the western part of Metro Vancouver, B.C. Ferries cancelled nearly two dozen Monday morning sailings.
MV Zim Kingston
As well, the MV Zim Kingston vessel encountered rough seas during its voyage across the Pacific Saturday, resulting in containers catching fire and discharging toxic gas. Most of the crew had to be evacuated while the fire was being contained.
According to Kevin MacKay, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, the ship was damaged by 160 km/h winds as it was in a holding pattern in the Pacific, then resulting in the containers catching fire.
However, the Canadian Coast Guard said the blaze is “smoldering“ and mostly under control, and an investigation will soon be underway to assess damage.
USA
In California, the storm triggered mudslides and flooding, while fierce winds brought down utility poles and downed trees.
Multiple mudslides were already reported in some of the 230,670 hectares blackened by the Dixie Fire in the Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of San Francisco.
Winds exceeding 80 km/h gust through San Francisco and triggered power outages around Sacramento, with photos surfacing on social media that showed downed utility poles smashing cars and blocking roadways. As much as 130 mm rain was forecast.
In Washington state, two people were killed after a tree fell on their car outside Issaquah amid fierce winds in the region on Sunday, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
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Source: Yahoo News
