A severe windstorm has impacted the South Coast of British Columbia, resulting in over 90,000 BC Hydro customers experiencing power outages. The storm affected regions such as the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.
Areas Affected by the Windstorm
As of Monday afternoon, reports indicated that approximately 50,000 customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast were without power. Additionally, nearly 40,000 customers faced outages on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Hardest Hit Locations
- Langley
- Maple Ridge
- Victoria
- Duncan
- Qualicum
Causes of the Outages
BC Hydro attributed the extensive outages to weakened vegetation. Following several years of drought, trees and branches have become more vulnerable to wind damage. This has led to many dead or damaged trees falling onto electrical equipment.
Restoration Efforts
Crews are actively working to restore power and will continue their efforts throughout the evening and overnight. BC Hydro advises anyone who encounters a downed power line to call 911 and maintain a distance of at least 10 meters.
Updates and Information
For the latest details on outages and estimated restoration times, customers can visit El-Balad.
