Ongoing windstorm leaves thousands in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island without power
Sunday, 7 a.m. update
Power restored to 99 per cent of customers impacted by windstorm
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews made significant progress repairing the extensive damage caused by Saturday’s windstorm. About 315,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 99 per cent of the more than 320,000 impacted customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
As of 7:00 a.m., there are about 5,000 customers without power. Crews from unaffected regions arrived last night to provide additional support to the more 250 BC Hydro and contractor crew members who have been working to restore power. Crews will continue working throughout the day to repair power lines, poles and other electrical equipment to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as crews continue to work hard to restore power. As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
Saturday, 9 p.m. update
BC Hydro crews work quickly to restore service to nearly 265,000 customers impacted by windstorm
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews continue work to repair extensive damage caused by today’s windstorm. Nearly 265,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 87 per cent of the more than 300,000 impacted customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
As of 9:00 p.m., most of the remaining 39,000 customers without power are in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast. Due to the extensive damage, there will be some customers without power overnight.
Crews from unaffected regions arrived this evening to provide additional support to the more 250 BC Hydro and contractor crew members who have been working since early this morning to restore power. While crews have made significant progress, they have also encountered challenges in some areas that have slowed progress. These include access challenges due to the heavy debris on some roads and limited ferry service in some areas, and sustained strong winds in some areas that are making it too dangerous for crews to begin work. Crews will work overnight and through the day tomorrow to continue to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible.
There are several reports of downed power lines. A downed power line is an emergency – stay back 10 metres and call 911.
BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as crews continue to work hard to restore power. As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
Saturday, 5:15 p.m. update
BC Hydro restores service to about 170,000 customers during windstorm
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews are making good progress restoring power to customers impacted by today’s windstorm. About 170,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 60 per cent of the more than 280,000 impacted customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Winds are now easing in most communities and restoration work will continue into the night and through the day tomorrow.
As of 5:15 p.m., the vast majority of the 110,000 customers without power are in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast. The hardest hit areas are currently:
- Surrey with 57,000 customers without power
- Burnaby with 13,000 customers without power
- Port Coquitlam with 7,000 customers without power
More than 250 BC Hydro crews and contractor crews have been working throughout the day, and additional resources have been brought in from unaffected regions to provide additional support. While crews have made good progress replacing power lines, poles and other electrical equipment damaged by vegetation, they have encountered challenges in some areas that have slowed progress. These include access challenges due to the heavy debris on some roads and limited ferry service in some areas, and sustained strong winds in some areas that are making it too dangerous for crews to begin work.
There are several 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.
Due to the extensive damage, there will be some customers without power overnight. All available crews will work into the night and throughout the day tomorrow to restore power and repair damaged infrastructure.
As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
Saturday, 1 p.m. update
Power restoration continues amid ongoing windstorm
VANCOUVER: Strong wind and heavy rain have left more than 240,000 BC Hydro customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands without power since the storm began. There are currently 196,000 customers without power and service has been restored to about 45,000 customers. As the windstorm continues, additional outages are expected in these regions.
As of 1:00 p.m., the vast majority of customers impacted are in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast. The hardest hit areas are:
- Surrey with 75,00 customers without power
- Burnaby with 18,000 customers without power
- Langley with 18,000 customers without power
- Port Coquitlam with 14,000 customers without power
- White Rock with 12,000 customers without power
- Maple Ridge with 12,000 customers without power
The strong winds have resulted in trees and branches contacting electrical infrastructure, which has caused extensive damage. About 250 BC Hydro and contractor crew members are currently working to repair damage to power lines, power poles and other equipment in an effort to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible. To provide additional support, BC Hydro is looking to bring in crews from unaffected regions.
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.
BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as crews continue to work hard to restore power throughout the day and into the night. As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
Saturday 11:30 a.m. update
Ongoing windstorm leaves 160,000 BC Hydro customers without power
VANCOUVER: Strong wind and heavy rain have left about 160,000 BC Hydro customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands without power. As the windstorm continues, additional outages are expected in these regions.
As of 11:30 a.m., there are about 148,000 customers out in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast, and about 12,000 customers out on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The hardest hit area is currently Surrey with nearly 75,000 customers without power.
After a multi-year drought, vegetation has been weakened across the province, making it more susceptible to wind. As a result, many dead and damaged tress and branches have fallen, and are making contact BC Hydro’s electrical equipment.
All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are working to repair damage to power lines, power poles and other equipment in an effort to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible. This work will continue throughout the day and into the night.
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.
BC Hydro appreciates its customers’ patience as crews continue to work hard to restore power. As repair work continues, BC Hydro will provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.