Whiffin Spit in Sooke will be closed starting at 8 a.m. today due to an expected storm surge that could see waves of up to seven metres.
In a statement on Friday, the District of Sooke said high waves and elevated ocean levels are expected to coincide with midday high tide, “creating hazardous conditions along the shoreline.” The spit will be inspected at 3 p.m. to determine if it can be reopened later in the day, the district said.
Environment sa国际传媒 issued a storm-surge advisory for the west and south coasts of the Island, saying there’s a chance of coastal flooding and dangerous waves, especially in low-lying areas. Victoria, Nanaimo, the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program and the Sidney Fire Department urged residents to be aware of weather conditions.
High winds that are contributing to the storm surge prompted cancellation of some ferry sailings today on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route. As of Friday afternoon, sa国际传媒 Ferries had cancelled today’s 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. sailings from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, the 9:40 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen and the noon from Swartz Bay.
There are also cancellations on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Duke Point-Tsawwassen routes, with potential cancellations for the Brentwood Bay-Mill Bay, Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island), Swartz Bay-Southern Gulf Islands and Comox-Powell River routes.
Several sailings between Swartz Bay and Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island are at risk of cancellation today, including the 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 from Swartz Bay, and the 6:15 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:50 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. from Fulford Harbour.
For details on affected sailings, go to .
Wind warnings are in effect for Greater Victoria and both the east and west coasts of Vancouver Island, with gusts potentially reaching 100 kilometres per hour.
Windy conditions were expected to start Friday night in Greater Victoria, from Courtenay to Campbell River and on the west coast, and today from Duncan to Nanaimo and from Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
Environment sa国际传媒 said the strong winds could damage roofs, break branches and lead to power outagess.
A rain warning was in effect for the Courtenay-to-Campbell River area through late this morning, with 50 to 70 millimetres forecast.
The District of Sooke said high waves and flooding pose serious risks to pets as well as people, and that even typically calm areas can be dangerous during storm surges.
The district will have updates on its website at , and the public can sign up to receive emergency notifications at .
The district cautioned that people should expect debris on Whiffin Spit trails in the aftermath of the windstorm.
A full round of maintenance in the area, including removal of large pieces of debris, will be carried out in the early spring after the storm season.
