Wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour halted ferry sailings, severed power lines and knocked down trees as a storm swept across B.C.'s south coast overnight.
Fallen trees blocked several main roadways in Vancouver, forcing the closure of a main route into the University of B.C. and the Lions Gate Bridge -- one of two bridges connecting the city with the north shore.
A single southbound lane reopened just past 8:30 a.m., however, traffic remained heavily clogged along the Stanley Park Causeway. Commuters choosing to use the SeaBus to cross the Burrard Inlet into Vancouver were met with a one-sailing wait during the shutdown.
Heavy winds forced BC Ferries to cancel many sailings across the Georgia Strait, including those out of its Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. The company resumed regular operations mid-morning.
Up to 50,000 BC Hydro customers across north and south Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast went without power early morning.
The company says power may not be restored to some of the hardest hit areas on southern Vancouver Island until late-afternoon.
Clinton and Glenwood elementary schools in Burnaby closed for the day because of the power outages.
Environment Canada says the intense low pressure centre moving across central Vancouver Island will ease later Monday morning, leaving behind gusty southerly winds.
A gale warning is in effect for western Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound and the Juan de Fuca straight for the next two days.
Last week, wet and warm temperatures prompted the early closure of Cypress Mountain, the resort that will host skiing and snowboarding events during the upcoming 2010 Games.
With files from The Canadian Press
