B.C. storm live updates: B.C. Ferries cancels some Christmas Day sailings | Strong winds and rain lashing coast

B.C. Ferries has cancelled most Christmas Day sailings between Vancouver and Tsawwassen

Published Dec 25, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  2 minute read

A strong Pacific front is causing heavy rain and winds in Metro Vancouver on Christmas Day 2024. Photo by David Carrigg

Environment Canada has issued a wind and rainfall warning for Christmas Day in Metro Vancouver near the water, Greater Victoria, Southern Gulf Islands, east Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

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The weather system is coming from the Pacific Ocean and will bring widespread, very strong southeast winds to the inner South Coast, starting mid-morning. A low pressure system is then forecast to merge with that storm, bringing more bad weather for Boxing Day.

“These very strong southeast winds will be widespread over the South Coast and persist for a long duration,” the weather agency warns.

Heavy rain is also forecast, with total rainfall accumulations of 100 mm, worse for the North Shore, northern Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

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Wednesday, Dec. 25

1:30 p.m.: Thousands lose power

The storm is beginning to take a toll on B.C. Hydro services with more than 6,000 homes without power. There are 3,100 homes without power in Metro Vancouver, 1,500 in Northern B.C. and 2,086 on Vancouver Island.

Check here for more details.

10 a.m.: Environment Canada warns of storm surge and flooding on Boxing Day

Environment Canada has updated its wind and rainfall warnings, adding that a high tide on Boxing Day morning combined with strong winds from the west may give elevated water levels near Juan de Fuca Strait.

“A quick transition to strong west winds are expected on Boxing Day morning. This will spread across Metro Vancouver and through Juan de Fuca Strait. Winds will gradually ease midday on Boxing Day for the Strait of Georgia and in the evening for Juan de Fuca Strait,” the agency states.

10 a.m.: B.C. Ferries could cancel more sailings

B.C. Ferries has warned the last two sailings on Christmas Day from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and back could be cancelled. These are the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sailings in both directions.

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The late sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and back may also be cancelled.

Several minor routes are also at risk of cancellation.

Monitor B.C. Ferries X account for updates.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

4 p.m.: B.C. Ferries cancels some Christmas Day sailings

On Tuesday evening, B.C. Ferries cancelled several sailings on three major routes.

The ferry firm says the “severe” forecast means all sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo on Wednesday have been axed, while trips between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. have also been scrapped.

Sailings are also cancelled between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay in Nanaimo between 10:40 a.m. and 6:35 p.m.

B.C. Ferries says the cancellations have been made to ensure the safety of customers and crew and other sailings on Wednesday are also at risk.

B.C. Hydro outages

Heavy wind and rain could not come at a worse time for families cooking a Christmas meal (unless they are gas customers). Follow the outage updates here.

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