BC Ferries issued a preemptive strike, cancelling several sailings out of Swartz Bay ahead of a storm expected to land Tuesday (Nov. 12) evening.

To ensure the safety of customers and crew, the ferry corporation cancelled sailings between Tsawwassen on the mainland, and the North Saanich terminal, as a result of Environment Canada's high wind forecast for the evening.

The 7 and 9 p.m. sailings out of each terminal were preemptively cancelled leaving the 5 p.m. as the final ferry between the south Island and the lower Mainland.

Strong winds that may cause damage are expected for the southern and eastern parts of Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, the southern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast in the evening, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada's extreme weather warning.

The southeast winds near 70 km/h could see gusts up to 100 km/h.

High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches. A similar storm at the start of November saw swatches of power outages due to trees and limbs breaking, with 290,000 BC Hydro customers impacted across southern B.C. Nearly 4,000 people woke without power in Greater Victoria on the morning of Nov. 5.

The ferry corporation also cancelled sailings between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands starting with the 3:35 p.m. leaving Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island.

For up-to-date sailing and departure information, check  on BC Ferries or phone 1-888-223-3779.