From wild weather events to extraordinary people, here are some of our top viral stories of 2024. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

going viral

Top Stories of 2024: Viral stories highlight Island’s popular people and events

Dec 23, 2024 | 12:07 PM

NANAIMO— Whether it was an intense weather system, to local helping out each other in a time of need, several stories resonated with our audience and were shared wildly online.

Perhaps the most impactful weather event in 2024 was on Nov. 19 when a bomb cyclone storm system landed over much of coastal B.C., with downed trees knocking out power to over 30,000 mid-island customers shortly after making landfall in the late afternoon.

By the next morning, thousands of people were still without power as wind speeds between 100-170 kilometres per hour pummelled Vancouver Island, with the higher end equal to a category two hurricane.

Crews from BC Hydro worked around the clock to restore power and clean up debris, with residents of Gabriola Island waiting a few days in the dark before power was restored in the wake of the powerful storm.

Downtown Nanaimo went dark the evening of Nov. 19, after the bomb cyclone storm system knocked down trees, took out power lines, and left thousands in the dark. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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In Community
In May, representatives from the Rotary Club of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Green Communities Canada installed a “mini-forest” at a new transitional housing complex on SFN territory, containing over 1,100 native plants in a self-sustaining environment.

Club president Rebecca Taylor said they wanted to create a more inviting, outdoor landscaping space at the housing complex to improve the mental and physical well-being of community members.

“With the idea of the transitional housing creating an environment for residents there that is more welcoming and I think from a mental health perspective when you’re surrounded by nature, that has some benefits for them.”

Over 1,100 plants, vines, shrubs and other greenery were planted as part of a partnership between Rotary, Green Communities Canada and Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Rotary Club of Nanaimo)

Also in May, stargazers got a rare treat as the Northern Lights lit up skies across the mid-Island, the first “severe geomagnetic storm” since 2005.

Increased sun activity caused coronal mass ejections to shoot toward the Earth and was behind the beautiful displays of green, red, and purple lights dancing in the night sky on May 10.

A show of the Northern Lights over Nanaimo in late February had those on the mid-Island excited for another potential repeat performance in May. (submitted photo/Dr. Greg Arkos)

In September, a boater in Ladysmith Harbour posted a photo to their local Facebook group, saying a well-known feature which displayed the word LADYSMITH in vegetation along the shoreline was spelled incorrectly as ‘LADYSNITH’.

“It’s hard to do that kind of work and perhaps it grew in kind of funny,” picture-taker Treen MaColl told NanaimoNewsNOW, who was certain a spelling blunder had been made.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed the plants inside the letter ‘M’ had not grown as intended, making it appear the sign was misspelled.

The angle of the photo when taken also contributed to the deception.

While from a distance, the feature apperas to be spelled ‘LADYSNITH”, it is in fact spelled correctly upon closer inspection. (Treen MaColl/Submitted)

Big Machines
In June, it was announced the legendary Hawaii Mars water bomber would be making its final flight from Port Alberni to its new home at the B.C. Aviation Museum later in the summer.

Excited residents of eastern Vancouver Island were counting down the days until the final flight on Aug. 11 hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous flying machine, accompanied by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Following in its big sister’s footsteps the Philippine Mars water bomber made its final journey in December from Port Alberni destined for an Arizona museum, but unfortunately ran into some mechanical issues and had to make a landing near Victoria on Dec. 15.

2024 also marked the return of cruise ships to Nanaimo, with two passenger-filled vessels stopping in the Harbour City for the first time since 2019.

The 650-foot Seabourn Odyssey docked the morning of May 9, bringing with it around 350 passengers on the final leg of a 40+ day cruise which left Hong Kong in late March and made stops in China, South Korea, Japan and Alaska.

In August, the 594-foot MS Oceania Regatta pulled into the Nanaimo Harbour with 625 passengers on board, jumping into taxis and chartered buses to explore the city for the day.

At least six more bookings are already in place for 2025 and 2026 as the local cruise industry gets back on its feet post-pandemic.

Passengers prepare to disembark the MV Seabourn Odyssey on Thursday, May 9, marking the first cruise ship arrival in Nanaimo since 2019. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

People
A mid-Island boater was grateful for his life jacket and a stroke of luck after he fell into the ocean on Sept. 23 along the Lantzville and Nanoose Bay waterfront.

While bystanders on shore alerted emergency services, water taxi driver Robb Wilson was on his way to Winchelsea Islands when he was contacted by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre to see if he could lend a hand.

Wilson, a 77-year-old former federal fisheries officer, managed to locate the capsized 12-foot aluminum skiff and pull the man and lone occupant from the water, where his life jacket kept him afloat.

The Empress III, captained by Robb Wilson, came to the rescue of a capsized aluminum skiff the evening of Sept. 23 in choppy waters off Nanoose Bay. (submitted photo)

Halloween can bring out the creativity in some people when it comes to their costumes, with some homeowners going the extra mile decorating their dwellings for the spooky season.

A Nanaimo home along Tulsa Rd. once again transformed itself into an interactive Halloween display, with creators Steve and Penny Jones spending upwards of 80 hours putting it all together.

“We both love Halloween of course, but I don’t see a lot of trick or treating going on anymore, so we really wanted to bring it back,” Penny told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It’s fun to watch everybody. They laugh, they smile, it makes us laugh too and we get a good kick out of it, it’s fun.”

The pair converted their front yard into a Christmas-themed display right after Halloween was over.

In November Superette Foods, a popular south Nanaimo grocery store on Albert and Milton Streets, was purchased after facing an uncertain future when the longtime owner decided to sell the property earlier in the year.

The Patel family, originally from New Dehli, India, got the keys to their business on Nov. 15, after successfully breathing new life into struggling convenience store’s on the mainland.

Ravi Patel and his wife Sarita said they’d rely on existing staff and customers to help them adjust, promising to add more inventory beyond grocery, including applying for a license to sell lotto tickets.

“We serve [the] community, this is our wish and I think our wish has come true,” said Sarita with a warm smile.

Hriday, Sarita and Ravi Patel during their first day in command of Superette Foods on Nov. 15, a longstanding and valued Nanaimo grocery store. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

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