White Rock’s East Beach promenade was closed for three hours Monday morning, after high winds whipped mud and other debris onto the popular walkway.
“There’s logs and mulchy-type stuff. It’s slippery,” said Greg St. Louis, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations.
St. Louis said city officials were warned Friday of possible trouble ahead, through an alert issued by Emergency Management BC in conjunction with Environment Canada’s weather office. High winds were forecast at a time when tides were to also be at their highest.
Yellow caution tape blocked access to the walkway east of the pier Monday, in an effort to deter walkers from risking the slippery route.
Contractor Don Comber told Peace Arch News that the debris and damage was the worst he’s seen in 17 years.
“It’s never been this bad, ever,” he said. “The high tide was at 9:09 (a.m.). It wasn’t too bad at that time, but then it got a lot worse.”
St. Louis said workers were able to reopen the promenade by noon.
Forecasts call for more rain.
- with files from Alex Browne