Hail storm pummels apple crops in B.C.'s Okanagan region

Monday, September 30, 2013, 7:26 PM -

Apple growers in British Columbia's Okanagan region are tallying up their losses after a hail storm moved through the area Sunday evening.

Residents say the storm only lasted 10 minutes, but that was enough to wreak havoc on apple crops.

One orchardist told the Canadian Press that as much as 60% of his crop may have been lost.

The storms are coming a bit later than usual this year. Residents say the hail storms are usually over by mid-September.

In other parts of the province, a powerful Pacific storm has been bringing heavy rain and damaging winds to parts of BC since Friday.

BC Ferries cancelled sailings between Vancouver Island and the mainland Sunday night leaving hundreds of travelers scrambling to get home.

Downed trees and power lines left thousands in the dark.

With files from the Canadian Press