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Operational Update

This news release was posted more than two years ago. View our latest news releases here.

BC Hydro crews working to restore power after winter storm hits South Coast

VANCOUVER – Heavy, wet snow and freezing rain have caused hundreds of individual power outages and affected over 75,000 customers on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland. The hardest hit areas are Victoria, Nanaimo and Duncan.

All available resources will continue to work through the night to make repairs and restore power. Difficult conditions and extensive damage have created challenges for crews.

Heavy, wet snow adds weight to branches and trees. This results in them breaking and coming into contact with BC Hydro's electrical equipment. Crews have been busy repairing damaged power lines, power poles, and transformers.

Crews are receiving reports of downed power lines. A downed power line is considered an emergency situation and members of the public should stay at least 10 metres back and call 911 immediately. BC Hydro crews will work together with first responders to make the area safe.

BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as repair work continues and will continue to provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.

Contact:

BC Hydro Media Relations
604 928 6468