Storm prompts B.C. Ferries cancellations, wind warnings across B.C. South Coast

B.C. Ferries has cancelled several sailings Friday morning as a potent storm system hits the South Coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

The cancellations were made pre-emptively on Thursday after forecasts of high winds and large waves in the Strait of Georgia, affecting sailings between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands

Among the cancelled sailings are Friday morning departures between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen and Duke Point, and Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. Some sailings between Tsawwassen and the southern Gulf Islands including Salt Spring Island and Galiano Island have also been cancelled.

B.C. Ferries warned other sailings could be affected. Updated information on cancellations or delays can be found on B.C. Ferries’ website. Passengers with bookings on cancelled sailings will be rebooked on alternate sailings or refunded the fare and/or fees.

The cancellations come amid a slew of wind warnings for Greater Victoria, eastern Vancouver Island, including Nanoose Bay and Campbell River, the Sunshine Coast and the southern Gulf Islands, with gusts of 70 to 90 km/h expected in the Strait of Georgia on Friday, said Environment Canada.

The winds are expected to ease in the afternoon.

Strong winds have also prompted warnings for southern parts of Metro Vancouver near the water, including Tsawwassen, Boundary Bay and White Rock, as well as the Fraser Canyon, including Lytton.

The wind warnings are in addition to rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver and parts of Vancouver Island. Total rainfall could reach 80 millimetres in higher-elevation areas, including the North Shore and Howe Sound and could reach up to 175 millimetres in higher-elevation areas of western Vancouver Island.

Highway passes in the B.C. Interior are not immune from the storm. Moderate to strong winds of 60 to 80 km/h are forecast for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops and on the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna.

The winds could intensify Friday afternoon as an incoming cold front brings southwesterly gusts of up to 90 km/h before easing overnight, said Environment Canada.

It said strong crosswinds could make driving hazardous, especially for drivers of high-sided vehicles, which may be pushed around by the wind. Parks and forests could also be damaged.

chchan@postmedia.com