Vancouver Island and the waters around it are under a wind warning this weekend.
For much of Friday, while it was relatively calm in many parts of Greater Victoria, it was windy enough out on the water for B.C. Ferries to cancel several sailings. Environment Canada reported wind gusts of up to 72 km/h at its Saturna Island monitoring station.
Strong winds were forecast to shift inland on Friday night and early today, with gusts up to 90 km/h.
Winds are expected to ease Saturday morning and afternoon and then pick up again in the evening.
Out on the water, Environment Canada forecast hurricane-force winds — more than 120 km/h — in some areas off the west coast of Vancouver Island on Saturday. Wind warnings covering the Island and parts of the South Coast were issued.
On Friday, B.C. Ferries cancelled several midday sailings between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
Service resumed about 3 p.m., but was slowed by the windy weather.
A fallen tree disrupted traffic in both directions on Highway 14 near Jordan River, according to Drive B.C.
The incident was first reported about 2:47 p.m. Traffic was completely blocked for several hours and then made its way through on a single-alternating lane.
The area also experienced a power outage affecting about 380 customers due to the high winds.
