3 highways connecting Lower Mainland and southern Interior closed
Several highways connecting B.C.'s Lower Mainland to the southern Interior are closed Thursday morning following overnight storms.
The Coquihalla Highway is closed about 12 kilometres north of Hope due to a "vehicle incident," according to DriveBC.
The closure covers both directions between Exit 183 Othello Road and Exit 192, DriveBC said.
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Meanwhile, Highway 3 between Second Avalanche Gate and Allison Pass Summit, about 47 kilometres east of Hope, and a 29-kilometre stretch of Highway 5A are also closed as a result of vehicle incidents.
There is also a major incident advisory on Highway 1 through Hope "due to high winds knocking down trees and power lines," according to DriveBC. It stretches about 100 kilometres between Abbotsford and Spuzzum.
DriveBC said drivers should use "extreme caution" if they have to travel through that area.
Environment Canada said in its weather summary that Hope experienced strong wind gusts of up to 139 km/h Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
Dave Duncan, general manager for Yellowhead Road and Bridge maintenance, told CBC's Daybreak South it was a "long night."
He said the wind was so strong that several trees were downed, and the wind pushed several semi-trailers over.
"It's quite a scene," he said.
He said anyone who has to travel on Thursday should expect snow and slush on the roads, and advises people to give themselves extra time for the journey.
This article was originally published for CBC News. Contains files from Daybreak South.