A sudden wind storm caused problems in the Okanagan.
Westside Road is closed in both directions 23.5 kilometres north of the Junction with Highway 97 South because of downed power lines. No detour is available.
At it’s peak, power was out to more than 4,200 customers in West Kelowna, Peachland and Summerland, and an additional 50 in Kelowna.
More than 7,500 customers are without power in the Salmon Arm area, and nearly 5,000 in the north Okanagan.
Emergency crews and B.C. Hydro were called to Dynamic Westside Auto and Transmission in West Kelowna when metal flashing on the edge of the roof was lifted up by the wind, making contact with a power line which started sparking.
The wind is also responsible for tearing off part of the roof of a building at Trans Canada Lumber on Industrial Road in West Kelowna.
Crews have been responding to various reports of downed trees and power lines.
An Environment Canada spokesperson said winds gusted to 70 km/h at the Kelowna International Airport.
Wind gusts in Kamloops reached 104 km/hr.
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