Power out, trees down in BC

By the light of day, it’s clear that last night’s massive storm took its toll in Birch Cliff.

Hydro workers were working to restore electricity south of Kingston Road this morning after high winds uprooted a tree at Lakeside Avenue and Kingsbury Crescent, knocking out power to both of those streets.

Around the corner, a 100-year old blue spruce was uprooted at 10 Birchcliff Avenue, crashing across two properties and falling on three cars.

Another tree was cut in half  at 87 Lakeside Avenue, knocking out the service line to that house.

Meanwhile, police are keeping watch over another tree that has keeled over and is threatening to take down the power line in front of 33 Crescentwood Road.

Our photo gallery begins with a shot of a giant tree that came down in the playground of Birch Cliff Public School.  Such a shame.

Tree down in the playground at Birch Cliff Public School. Photo credit: Nancy L'Estrange.

Here’s a shot of the tree that was uprooted and took out the power on Lakeside Avenue and Kingsbury Crescent.  The street was blocked off as Hydro crews worked on repairs.

Tree takes out power lines at Lakeside and Kingsbury

Over on Birchcliff Avenue residents say they didn’t hear a thing when a 90-foot blue spruce was uprooted by heavy winds in the middle of the night and fell across two properties.  The owner of the tree at #10 Birchcliff, Keith McDevitt, says he discovered the damage when he went to pick up the morning paper and couldn’t get out of his front door.

90-foot blue spruce uprooted on Birchcliff Avenue

Keith McDevitt says they are “heartbroken” by the loss of the majestic blue spruce, which was at least 100 years old and one of the reasons they bought the house 17 years ago.  The tree was named “Kate’s Tree” by his 13-year old daughter because it was outside her bedroom window and she liked to watch the birds.

"Kate's Tree" at 10 Birchcliff Avenue

The tree fell across two properties and has damaged three cars.

It takes a long time for a tree to grow a root ball this large.

Another tree at 87 Lakeside Avenue was cracked in half and has severed the service line to that house.

87 Lakeside Avenue

Hydro workers are trying to clean up the mess.

Police are keeping watch over this tree at 33 Crescentwood Road, which is leaning precariously on the power line and threatening to take out power there.  These homeowners have had more than their share of problems as they experienced basement flooding in July.

33 Crescentwood Road threatens to take out power

North of  Kingston Road crews were busy dealing with a downed tree as well as wires at the corner of Eastwood Avenue and Freeman Street.

Northwest corner of Eastwood Avenue and Freeman Street. Photo credit: Shelley Allen.

Thanks to Shelley Allen and Nancy L’Estrange for submitting photos.  If you have pictures of storm damage in Birch Cliff, please let us know by clicking on “Contact Us” on the home page.