(UPDATE @ 4 p.m.) — Crews are working to restore power in the following areas after today's winds: 271 customers are without power in Monte Lake, 29 households are affected in the 1700 block of Ord Road and 24 are without power in the area west of Airport Road.
(UPDATE @ 2:15 p.m.) — After strong winds hit Kamloops this morning, the city is asking residents to stay out of local parks.
"Last night in several areas throughout our parks system we experienced falling branches due to the severe winds," said senior parks supervisor Shawn Cook in a media release.
"With winds forecasted to gust up to 90km/h this afternoon and evening, we are advising residents to stay clear of the parks system until the winds subside."
As of 2 p.m., a strong wind warning put in effect by Environment Canada had been rescinded for the North and South Thompson.
Winds earlier in the day took down trees along Schubert Drive and along 7th Street behind Safeway on the North Shore and near Sunset Drive in Valleyview.
No new outages have been reported after power was restored to more than 600 BC Hydro customers in Valleyview earlier this morning.
If you notice any damaged or fallen trees on City of Kamloops property, call the City of Kamloops parks department at 250-828-3551.
Share your #BCStorm photos with us! Email [email protected] or tag #KamloopsBCNow in your posts!
(UPDATE @ noon) — The #BCStorm has hit the Interior, knocking out power across the region. BC Hydro says damaging winds have caused multiple outages and expects "outages to increase until winds abate."
Trees on hydro line at Schubert and birch #kamfire shutting down schubert #bcstorm #kamloops pic.twitter.com/wSRr1q2iNG
— Kamscan (@Kamscan) October 17, 2017
Wind gusts have reached 103 km/h in Kamloops and trees are reportedly down along Schubert Drive on the North Shore and in Valleyview.
A power outage affecting more than 600 residents in Valleyview appears to have been resolved.
Crews will be heading to an outage affecting 653 customers in #Kamloops. They'll share updates here: https://t.co/zDsZbaAtdt pic.twitter.com/vgRRj7CxTF
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) October 17, 2017
However 47 homes north-west of Heffley Louis Creek Road are without power. Another 193 are without power north of Barriere.
More than 1,200 BC Hydro customers are without power in Chase and more than 1,400 customers are without power in the Shuswap.
Send your #BCStorm pics and videos to [email protected] or tag us using #KamloopsBCNow
Whelp, just caught a tumbleweed going about 70km/h down the tarmac at #YKA. It’s a tad stormy in #Kamloops at the moment. #BCstorm #BCwx pic.twitter.com/kjhby1H0CR
— Kevin Skrepnek (@KevinSkrepnek) October 17, 2017
Strong winds blew down a tree on the #SunPeaks golf course today. #kamloops Photo Ryan Oevermann pic.twitter.com/Led4Fjrtga
— Sun Peaks News (@sunpeaksnews) October 17, 2017
(October 19th @ 9 a.m.) — Batten down the hatches, it’s going to be a windy morning! Environment Canada is predicting strong winds that could cause damage in the North and South Thompson as well as the Shuswap today.
A wind warning is in effect, with strong westerly winds of 70 km/h gusting 90 km/h expected to develop late this morning as an “intense fall storm” moves across the Interior.
Several alerts still in affect across BC. See our warning page for the latest on the #BCstorm: https://t.co/mmPja1OlLp pic.twitter.com/1GkkVmsv1x
— ECCC Weather BC (@ECCCWeatherBC) October 17, 2017
“Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage,” Environment Canada says. “High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds.”
In addition to strong winds, Environment Canada says intense thunderstorms could also develop, bringing frequent lightning and heavy showers, possibly mixed with small hail.
Heavy rain and wind brought by the #BCStorm is also pelting BC's coastal communities, already causing some power outages in the Lower Mainland, BC Hydro says.
If you’re out storm chasing today, share your pics and videos with us by emailing [email protected] and tagging us in your posts using #kamloopsbcnow!
