Residents and response groups within the Central Okanagan have been busy cleansing up following Monday’s thunderstorm – West Kelowna Information

Clean up from Monday’s thunderstorm is underway for residents across the Central Okanagan.

The storm caused wide-spread power outages as power lines were impacted by wind gusts that reached over 100 kilometres an hour in some areas, according to Environment Canada.

West Kelowna resident Stephen Bryans is just feeling fortunate he wasn’t home when a tree crashed through his house, sending branches into his bedroom window while he was running errands.

“I came around the corner, and there were a lot of roads blocked off and I knew there had been a storm, but in my wildest imagination I had no idea that I would have these two huge trees uprooted and one across my house,” Bryans described.

Bryans told Castanet the damage to his home is extensive, as the storm left holes in his home’s roof from branches puncturing through several of the rooms upstairs. He said he’s never seen a storm like this so late in the year.

“No, I haven’t. I’ve seen a lot of wind storms, and these two old trees were the last trees I would have thought would come down. Some people who live in the neighbourhood said it was more like a tornado because the trees were uprooted, which is incredible,” said Bryans.

West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund said his team has been very busy over the last 24 hours.

“Between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. we had 15 calls for service which is far more than we were used to, all related to downed power lines and trees on roads, and the effects of the storm passing through,” explained Brolund.

Brolund also said he and his crew were fully prepared for the influx of calls, after seeing the storm develop and carefully watching what was happening elsewhere in the province.

“It was not unexpected. We of course watched the storm and realized that It could potentially have some impact here. It did happen fast, and impacted the community,” said Brolund.

Brolund said the power outages impacted Station 32 much like it did for many residents who were just getting home from work or school. He feels this storm is a valuable reminder for everyone to always be prepared.

If you see a downed power line or tree, remember to call 9-1-1 immediately.