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Operational update

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

BC Hydro restores power to 97 per cent of customers impacted by windstorm

March 29, 6:30 a.m. update

BC Hydro crews have restored power to more than 174,000 of the 180,000 customers impacted by the storm that hit the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island on Sunday.

Crews have been working around-the-clock to restore power, replacing dozens of spans of power line as well power poles, transformers and cross-arms.

Crews will continue to work throughout the day and BC Hydro expects to have all remaining customers restored today.

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

March 28, 9:30 p.m. update

Windstorm leaves thousands on the South Coast and Vancouver Island without power 

VANCOUVER: Strong winds left tens of thousands BC Hydro customers without power on Sunday in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

As of 9 p.m., about 90,000 customers were without power. The hardest hit areas at this time include:

  • Surrey with 18,300 customers out
  • Langley with 16,300 customers out
  • Vancouver with 6,200 customers out
  • Sechelt with 5,200 customers out
  • Courtenay with 4,500 customers out
  • Duncan with 3,900 customers out

The wind has knocked down trees and branches causing them to come into contact with BC Hydro’s electrical equipment. As a result, crews are busy repairing damaged power lines, power poles and transformers.

All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are working to restore power. Crews will continue to work throughout the night; however, many customers in all three regions will be without power overnight.

BC Hydro understands that outages are disruptive and thanks its customers for their patience as crews work to repair the damage and restore power. It also asks that members of the public follow physical distancing guidelines and provide crews with the space they need to complete their work safely.

Crews are receiving reports of downed power lines. A downed power line is an emergency. Call 911 and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe.

As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.