Straight Talk

Amid B.C. windstorm, emergency situation develops at White Rock pier

by Craig Takeuchi on December 20th, 2018 at 2:51 PM
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      While strong winds have resulted in closures of parks and cancellations of ferries, emergency responders are attempting to rescue a person in White Rock.

      RCMP announced at 2:31 p.m. today (December 20) that they, along with White Rock Firefighters, are responding to an emergency situation at White Rock pier, located in the 1500 block of Marine Drive and was opened in 1914.

      News 1130 has reported that a portion of the pier has broken off, leaving one person stranded on it.

      https://www.instagram.com/p/BroI9rRh7Tu/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=by1325210pvvp

      Peace Arch News also reported that several sailboats broke loose from their moorings and have been crashing into the pier. 

      RCMP have closed Marine Drive in White Rock until further notice.

      The City of White Rock announced that the pier is closed until further notice, and the city has closed Centennial Park Trails as well.

      Observers have since posted photos to social media capturing images of the person being rescued by helicopter.

      Global News has reported that a helicopter crew rescued the individual shortly after 3:30 p.m. today.

      White Rock RCMP also confirmed that the rescue effort ended successfully.

      Environment Canada had issued a wind warning today at 12:25 p.m., stating that winds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour had developed this morning and are expected to reach up to over 100 kilometres this afternoon. Wind intensity is expected to decrease by this evening.

      The B.C. windstorm follows a few days after a freak tornado touched down in Port Orchard, located west of Seattle, on December 18 and caused damage to houses, buildings, and trees.

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      Craig Takeuchi

      @Cinecraig

      The urban beastie otherwise known as Craig Takeuchi is a UBC BA (art history/film studies) and MFA (Creative Writing program, with a screenplay thesis) graduate who has had his fiction and non-fiction work published in numerous local and national publications. He's covered a wide range of topics...

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