Thunderstorm packs intense winds
Clockwise from top: This truck was squashed after a brief but intense windstorm early Friday morning pushed over trees in the Eagle River Campground in Malakwa. Crews worked to remove trees from overhead lines at several locations west of Revelstoke. A smashed picnic table could have helped hold this tree from flattening a camping tent at the Eagle River Campground.
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Updated: August 25, 2009 11:07 AM
Campers at Eagle River Campground and RV Park in Malakwa were sent running for their lives early Friday morning after a thunderstorm packing severe winds toppled over a dozen trees, smashing a truck, picnic tables, landing right on top of one tent with another coming to a rest just inches above another.
The next morning, the aftermath of the storm was reminiscent of a tornado strike, with personal effects and collapsed tents scattered throughout the park, which had been cordoned off by Ministry of Forests officials.
A late model pick up truck sat squashed under the weight of three trees that had landed on top of it.
Despite the destruction, there were no reported injuries.
Seeing that the storm was turning from bad to worse, many of the campers had left their tents and sought shelter near an adjacent building located away from the stand of trees where the campsite is located.
Both the thunderstorm and winds were intense but brief. The severe winds lasted about five minutes, but managed to down trees in intermittent patches along a 20 kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, taking out power and telephone lines at several different locations.
At least five different crews worked with chainsaws to clear downed trees before the lines were re-strung.
The same storm knocked out Internet service to about 2,400 Telus customers in the Revelstoke area. Service was restored just before midnight Friday.
In Revelstoke, an intense thunderstorm was followed by a brief downpour, but the storm did not have the same intense winds as areas further west.
BC Hydro spokesperson Jennifer Walker-Larsen said power was maintained to Revelstoke despite the strong winds.
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