On December 6, 2025, over 5,500 customers faced power outages across the South Island. This disruption was caused by fallen trees due to unexpectedly high winds, even though Environment Canada had issued no wind warnings.
Impact of the Power Outage
The power failures affected multiple regions, with the highest number of outages concentrated south of Langford Parkway. Here are the key areas affected:
- Langford, Colwood, and Metchosin: 3,300 customers without power
- Sooke (south of Philips Road): Nearly 800 customers remained offline
Weather Conditions
The winds reached speeds of 30 km/h, with gusts up to 70 km/h near the Juan de Fuca Strait. These conditions were expected to persist into the early afternoon.
Forecast for the Coming Days
After the windstorm, the weather is projected to clear up, with a daytime high of 11°C. However, the forecast predicts a return of lower winds on December 7, ranging between 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h in the afternoon. Showers are likely to accompany these winds, with a high of 12°C anticipated.
Restoration Efforts
BC Hydro crews are actively responding to the outages. They are either on-site or en route to address the issues, particularly in the most severely affected areas.
Residents are advised to stay updated through local news outlets, such as El-Balad, for further information on restoration progress and safety guidelines.
