One of the webcam repeaters for DriveBC on Vancouver Island has had some shocking technical difficulties lately as the result of a lightning strike.
In order to extend wireless signals to webcams all across the province, DriveBC utilizes repeaters.
A few days ago, the webcam feed for DriveBC’s view of Highway 4 at Sutton Pass – between Ucluelet/Tofino and Port Alberni – became unavailable.
When there was a break in the weather this weekend, crews from BC Transportation were able to climb up to the repeater site, only to find it completely destroyed.
Looks like our #BCHwy4 #SuttonPass cam will be down longer than expected.
Crews got up to the summit during a break in the weather this weekend and found the repeater site has sustained a direct hit from a lightning strike. See it before and after below. #PortAlberni #Tofino pic.twitter.com/nonKhdBu6y— BC Transportation (@TranBC) November 30, 2020
“Looks like our BC Hwy 4 Sutton Pass cam will be down longer than expected,” reads a Twitter message from BC Transportation.
Crews said that the repeater, which is located on top of one of the mountains in the Sutton Pass area, had taken a “direct hit” from a lightning strike.
In a picture, shared by BC Transportation, the cone-shaped structure of the repeater appears to have split down the middle as a result of the lightning.
There is currently no estimation from DriveBC as to how long the Sutton Pass camera will remain out of commission.
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Graham Cox
