By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Wind continues to buffet the South Okanagan taking down branches, kicking up dust storms and sending a sailboat up against the rocks in the north basin of the lake just before the Osoyoos Trestle Bridge.
Environment Canada issued a Wind Warning at 11 a.m on Monday, July 14 warning of strong northerly winds of 70 km/h gusting up to 90 km/h saying the winds would ease later in the day. “Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds,” the alert read.
Making windy memories in Osoyoos.
Don Urquhart photo
While Osoyoos Lake was mostly clear of any activity, a catamaran sailboat was hit by the strong wind gusts which capsized the boat with two or three people on board. The sailboat was then quickly carried towards the Osoyoos Trestle Bridge by the current, wind and waves and ended up on the rocks just before the bridge. The RCMP were on hand and helped the sailors tie the upturned boat to small trees on the bank in order to prevent it going under the bridge.
Three RCMP vehicles and an ambulance were on site but it appeared there were no serious injuries.
RCMP officers help the boat owner tie the sailboat to small trees to prevent it from going under the bridge. Don Urquhart photo
The strong wind gust are kicking up dust and sending flower planters swinging and small branches scattered on the ground.
The Osoyoos Mermaid Party celebrating “Art from the heart to the lift the soul” at Osoyoos’ Gyro Park Bandshell was cancelled and organizer Wide Arts National Association (WANA) lost some of its tents that were blown away.
Restless mermaids: The strong wind forced the cancellation of the Mermaid Party.
Don Urquhart photo
Osoyoos town staff approached beach goers asking them to leave the beach area for fear of falling branches and other objects picked up by the wind. In the waters off of Gyro Park the Okanagan Witbit inflatable water park was blown flat by the wind.
Wibit flattened by the wind.
Don Urquhart photo
FortisBC is reporting a number of power outages, but has not identified them as wind caused, including Osoyoos affecting 218 customers between 87th St. and Spartan Drive, six customers on Black Sage Rd., five customers off of Kilback Rd, and three customers between Primrose Lane and Road 2 in Oliver.
Large clouds of dust were kicked up from the Dividend Ridge area.
Don Urquhart photo
