Dec. 18, 2025 6 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 Wednesday’s windstorm. About 119,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 99 per cent of the more than 120,000 impacted customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
As of 6 a.m., there are about 1,000 customers without 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 thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power. For the latest outage updates and estimated restoration times, visit bchydro.com/outages.
5 p.m. update
BC Hydro crews work to restore service more than 105,000 customers impacted by windstorm
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews continue work to repair extensive damage caused by today’s windstorm. More than 105,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 88 per cent of the more than 120,000 impacted customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
As of 5 p.m., most of the remaining 15,000 customers without power are in the Lower Mainland. Due to the extensive damage, there is a potential for some customers to be without power overnight.
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. Crews will work overnight and through the day tomorrow to continue to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible.
Reports of downed power lines are being received. A downed power line is an emergency – call 911 immediately and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe.
BC Hydro thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power. For the latest outage updates and estimated restoration times, visit bchydro.com/outages.
11:30 a.m. update
Power restoration continues following windstorm
VANCOUVER: BC Hydro crews are making good progress restoring power to customers impacted by the overnight windstorm and heavy rainfall. About 70,000 customers have had their service restored – or about 60 per cent of the more than 120,000 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.
As of 11:30 a.m., the vast majority of the 50,000 customers without power are in the Lower Mainland. The hardest hit areas are currently:
- Vancouver with 8,200 customers without power
- Burnaby with 7,200 customers without power
- Port Coquitlam with 4,900 customers without power
BC Hydro crews and contractor crews have been working throughout the morning. 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.
Reports of downed power lines are being received. A downed, damaged, or low-hanging power line is an emergency – call 911 immediately and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe.
BC Hydro thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power. For the latest outage updates and estimated restoration times, visit bchydro.com/outages.
5:30 a.m. update
VANCOUVER: A powerful windstorm combined with heavy rainfall overnight has left about 120,000 BC Hydro customers without electricity, primarily across the Lower Mainland. This marks the third major weather-related outage event this week. Crews are working around-the-clock in challenging conditions to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
As of 6 a.m., the hardest hit areas are:
- Surrey: 18,400 customers without power
- Vancouver: 11,200 customers without power
- Port Coquitlam: 12,500 customers without power
- Burnaby: 11,700 customers without power
- Maple Ridge: 11,200 customers without power
- North Vancouver: 10,000 customers without power
The storm brought down trees and debris onto BC Hydro’s electrical infrastructure, damaging power lines, poles and other equipment. All available crews and contractors are being mobilized, and restoration efforts will continue throughout the day and into the night.
Reports of downed power lines are being received. A downed power line is an emergency – call 911 immediately and stay at least 10 metres back. BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe.
BC Hydro thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power. For the latest outage updates and estimated restoration times, visit bchydro.com/outages.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468