Clean-up efforts to stem the impact of Thursday害羞草研究所檚 storm of the century on White Rock害羞草研究所檚 shoreline are underway.
Search and rescue crews said approximately 60 gas tanks were recovered by 8:30 p.m. from the wreckage of sailboats that were damaged or destroyed in the squalls that battered the waterfront and devastated the city害羞草研究所檚 100-year-old pier.
It害羞草研究所檚 estimated just eight of approximately 30 boats that were moored at the dock survived.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e all shattered,害羞草研究所� RCM-SAR5 spokesman Dean Donnelly told Peace Arch News from the scene late Thursday.
害羞草研究所淭hey were already under water when you were filming害羞草研究所� the pier breaking apart.
PHOTOS: pier crumbles under massive waves, winds
害羞草研究所� Peace Arch News (@PeaceArchNews)
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High winds kicked up a vicious storm across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, at points gusting around 100 km/h.
Felling trees onto power lines, vehicles and homes, it left at least 300,000 in the dark for hours, and was one of the most severe storms BC Hydro has experienced in years, according to information on the utility害羞草研究所檚 website.
It reached its peak on White Rock害羞草研究所檚 waterfront around 2 p.m., when sailboats that broke loose from their moorings repeatedly battered the pier, causing it to break in half and stranding one man on the far end.
A Cormorant rescue helicopter was tasked from Victoria to rescue the 42-year-old, who was reportedly 害羞草研究所減urple害羞草研究所� when crews got to him.
害羞草研究所淗e just kept getting hit by wave, after wave, after wave,害羞草研究所� Donnelly said of the man害羞草研究所檚 hour-plus experience waiting for rescue.
As bystanders cheered, the man 害羞草研究所� who appeared in good spirits 害羞草研究所� was delivered to paramedics at the pierhead and taken to hospital.
Insane day in White Rock. We will be updating this story. Here's some photos. Man rescued after pier destroyed by heavy winds, loose boats.
害羞草研究所� Aaron Hinks (@aaron_hinks)
: East Beach is now closed until further notice. Closure updates here:
害羞草研究所� City of White Rock (@whiterockcity)
: White Rock Pier, East Beach, Promenade Closed to Public Until Further Notice. Please give crews the space they need to do their work, respect the barricades in place, and be mindful of those redirecting you. They are just trying to keep you safe."
害羞草研究所� City of White Rock (@whiterockcity)
害羞草研究所淭he city has taken measures to prevent access to the pier, which is obviously closed. Despite that, people continue to attempt to gain access,害羞草研究所� White Rock RCMP Staff Sgt. Daryl Creighton told PAN by text. 害羞草研究所淭he police will not be putting themselves at risk for someone making poor decisions.害羞草研究所�
Creighton confirmed the issue continued 害羞草研究所渢hroughout the night.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淪everal people still gained access by climbing along the outside of the pier and then害羞草研究所� over the rails. Several violation tickets were issued,害羞草研究所� he said.
Police also responded to calls of 害羞草研究所渓ooting害羞草研究所� of the damaged sailboats.
Photos of damage after White Rock's pier was destroyed. There was boats scattered as far as east beach. Plenty of looters out tonight searching through boats with flashlights.
害羞草研究所� Aaron Hinks (@aaron_hinks)
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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