Typhoon Freda fuelled one of the West Coast's most destructive storms
The remnants of Typhoon Freda grew into one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Pacific Northwest
Winds gusted higher than 200 km/h as one of the most powerful storms on record crashed into the western shores of North America in the middle of October 1962.
The storm, nicknamed the Big Blow by those who endured the ordeal, found its origins in a typhoon that started nearly 7,900 km away from Vancouver.
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Typhoon Freda formed in the western Pacific Ocean on Oct. 1. The system travelled over warm waters and favourable conditions to grow into the equivalent of a major Category 3 by Oct. 5.
Swept up by swift upper-level winds, Freda raced through the northern Pacific Ocean and lost its tropical characteristics by Oct. 10.
But that wasn’t the end of Freda’s story.
The remnant centre of low pressure swooped into the northeastern Pacific the following day. An extremely strong jet stream allowed the low-pressure system to reintensify at a startling pace as it skirted the California coast on Oct. 12.
Bomb cyclones are known for their powerful wind gusts—but the remnants of Freda were something never before witnessed by those who experienced this storm.
The strongest wind gusts buffeted Oregon and Washington, where many stations observed wind gusts higher than 200 km/h. Cape Blanco, Washington, reportedly saw a wind gust as high as 288 km/h.
While the worst conditions unfolded south of the border, British Columbia didn’t escape the storm unscathed. Wind gusts of 120-140 km/h were common throughout the Lower Mainland.
An article published by BC Hydro in 2011 reported that the storm killed seven people in B.C. and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
“Stanley Park lost about 20 per cent of its old growth,” the article said, reflecting the extent of tree damage that caused extensive power outages. BC Hydro says it deployed nearly 600 linemen to repair the damage and restore electricity.
Header image created using graphics and imagery from Canva and NOAA.