The Sand Pebbles Inn in Qualicum Beach suffered significant damage after giant waves battered the townB次元官网网址檚 waterfront on Friday (Jan. 7).
The heritage business, in existence for 65 years, lost its sea wall and the water brought down some parts of the buildingB次元官网网址檚 outer structure.
Manager Danielle Filmer said they were not expecting the massive waves.
B次元官网网址淭his has never happened before,B次元官网网址� said Filmer. B次元官网网址淚t was quite a high tide yesterday and I have never seen the water come over the wall like that.B次元官网网址�
There were guests inside the building when it happened, who were eventually evacuated safely.
It was a frightening experience, said Filmer.
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B次元官网网址淚 was scared,B次元官网网址� said Filmer. B次元官网网址淚t happened so quickly, all in an hour. It got flooded then the wall came down and the water rushed out. It was pretty nuts.B次元官网网址�
Filmer said they will remain closed for a while and didnB次元官网网址檛 know when they will re-open.
At the moment, the damages to the building and seawall are being assessed. Filmer said theyB次元官网网址檙e already expecting repair cost to be extensive.
B次元官网网址淲e own the wall so itB次元官网网址檚 not the (townB次元官网网址檚) wall,B次元官网网址� said Filmer. B次元官网网址淭o even put something in for the winter, just a little wall of some kind, will be already over $100,000.B次元官网网址�
None of the rooms were flooded said Filmer, who said it is unfortunate they have been dealt a harsh blow just as they are recovering from the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Although they have insurance, Filmer said, theyB次元官网网址檙e not sure how much coverage they will receive.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still waiting,B次元官网网址� said Filmer.
The Town of Qualicum Beach has looked at the impact of the king tide event to its own waterfront infrastructure. Acting CAO Heather Svensen said the town-owned portion of the seawall was not damaged but additional staff time will be required to clean and remove the debris strewn over the area.
Many of the other buildings and structures at the waterfront escaped major damage.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce building, situated just a couple of yards away from the Sand Pebbles Inn, sustained only minor damage, said executive director Kim Burden.
B次元官网网址淲e had small damage to the side of the building but itB次元官网网址檚 not a big deal,B次元官网网址� said Burden. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 a mess out there. The force of nature is amazing.B次元官网网址�
Burden said they also checked on the Qualicum Beach Rotary Club, which the chamber takes care of, and it was spared any major damage. But it will also require some cleanup.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of gravel that has been strewn up on the lawn,B次元官网网址� said Burden. B次元官网网址淎gain no big damage - but itB次元官网网址檚 a big mess.B次元官网网址�
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