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VIDEO: Storm surge closes Greater Victoria roads, trails, breakwater

Gale-force winds, storm surge and seasonably high tides fling waves on shore

A storm watcher’s paradise landed at the shores of Greater Victoria Tuesday morning.

Karen Link and Martin Davis, with a golden retriever in tow, took in the storm along Dallas Road mid-morning on Jan. 9.

READ ALSO: Simple steps for preparedness as extreme weather set to hit Greater Victoria

It’s the strongest storm Link has seen in two years of living here.

“It’s a storm, are you kidding me, it’s amazing,” she said when asked why they came to watch.

“Look at the power of the ocean, look at the size of those logs (being thrown by the waves), it’s incredible.”

Davis said they wanted to watch to experience the raw power of nature.

“It’s fantastic, this is why we live here.”

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A runner takes on the elements along Dallas Road during a storm on Jan. 9. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

High tide and extreme wind and waves closed roads and breakwaters in the region.

In Oak Bay, Beach Drive was closed from St. Patrick Street to Monterey Avenue due to heavy rainfall and high tide.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority closed the Breakwater upper and lower pathways “due to current and forecasted weather conditions, and out of an abundance of precaution” mid-morning Tuesday.

On the West Shore, high water flooded Delgada Road, closing vehicle access to Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park. Report downed trees or debris in regional parks online here or by calling 250-478-3344.

READ ALSO: Ferries cancelled, thousands without power as storm hits south Island

Environment and Climate Change Canada warned Monday that Tuesday’s high tides might create large waves due to “gale-force southwest winds, storm surge, and seasonably high tides.”

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A cyclist bikes through a flooded portion of Dallas Road on Jan. 9. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

It impacted shorelines along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including Sooke and Victoria, Southern Gulf Islands, and areas near Boundary Bay in Metro Vancouver.

Are wind and waves impacting your neighbourhood?

Send your storm photos to christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca.

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