B.C. storm batters power systems and roads

The winds, rain and snow may have abated in British Columbia, but the damage they caused to power systems, roads and highways continues.

Reports of majorpower outages throughout British Columbiawere streaming in as astorm surged on the South Coast, with winds up to 120 kilometres an hour recorded in some parts of the province.

Wind warnings for Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the FraserValley were lifted by Tuesday night.

BC Hydro said 56,000 customers were without power as of 10:00 p.m. PT. At the height of the storm, 110,000 people were without power.

The power on Vancouver's Lions Gate Bridge was partially out earlier on Tuesday evening. Video on Twitter showed bright blue flashes near the bridge just before the power went out.

Another video taken in Coquitlam showeda similar sudden flash of light. BC Hydro said crews were investigating a power outage that affected2,900 customers.

BC Hydro said it was working on restoring services, but it could take well into Wednesday before they would be fully restored.

Visit the BC Hydrowebsitefor the latest updates

Winds up to 120 km/h

CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe saidwesterly winds werestrong on the South Coast throughout the evening.

Peak winds were recorded in the following areas:

• Hope: 121 km/h
• Victoria: 99km/h
• Tofino: 79km/h
• Abbotsford: 83km/h
• Race Rocks (south Vancouver Island): 114km/h
• Vancouver International Airport: 63km/h

Road conditions

Many highways and roads throughout the region remain closed due to poor conditions and accidents, according to DriveBC.

• Highway 3A is closed in both directions between Castlegar and Creston because of downed power lines.
• Highway 14 in Metchosin, on Vancouver Island, is reduced to single lane alternating trafficfrom Kangaroo Road in Metchosin to Happy Valley Road in Langford because of downed power lines.
• Highway 3 is reduced to single lane alternating trafficin both directions nine kilometres west of Keremeos because of a rock slide. It's also closed in both directions at Skagit Bluffs due to downed power lines.
• Highway 7 is reduced to single lane alternating trafficin both directions near Harrison Mills because of debris flow.

Visit the DriveBC website for the latest updates.

Ferry cancellations

BC Ferriesannounced more sailing cancellations on Tuesday. Service betweenTsawwassenand the southern Gulf Islandswascancelled for the rest of the day, as wasthe Mill Bay toBrentwoodBay route.

Vancouver's False Creek Ferries also announced cancellations onmost of its routes.

Fraser Valley hit hard

Earlier on Tuesday,Chilliwackseemedto be bearing the brunt of the storm. ResidentCarissaKampmantook to twitter to announce, "Just watched our barn roof fly off.... Okwind you can go away."

CBC confirmed withKampmanthat everyone was fine, and that the cows had been moved to a safe location before the roof was lost.

In Chilliwack, a dangerous situation unfolded on Patton Avenue, where video posted to social media showsa downed power line shootingout a large showers of sparks and fire.

• Watch the videoof the downed power line and the flames