West Van seawall reopens after powerful storm surge
West Vancouver's seawall is open again after a powerful storm surge at high tide flooded sections of the waterfront Monday morning.
The high water closed the Seawall from Ambleside to Dundarave, nearby parks, the Spirit Trail and two piers.
The water was at its peak at 9 a.m. and began to slowly recede soon after, said West Van spokesman Jeff McDonald.
The total cost of the flood won't be known for around two weeks because all the damage hasn't been assessed yet, he added.
The Silk Purse, home of the West Van Community Arts Council, was one of the buildings hardest hit by the high water. Crews were at the building on Argyle Avenue this week pumping out water.
The strong winds and high tide also damaged the Seawall, littering logs, rocks and other debris and breaking off pieces of the barrier.
Curious onlookers came to see John Lawson and Dundarave parks, which were closed to the public due to the flood. The parks are still closed until clean-up is complete.
This degree of storm surge has happened in the past, said McDonald, so West Van crews have experience cleaning up this amount of debris.
mgarstin@northshoreoutlook.com
twitter.com/michaelagarstin
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