VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has restored power to 99 per cent of customers impacted by two damaging weekend windstorms, as crews continue working around the clock to restore approximately 6,000 customers who remain without power.
Since Friday, the storms have caused outages for nearly 415,000 customers across the province. Crews have made significant progress despite widespread damage, difficult access and complex repairs in some of the hardest-hit areas.
The majority of customers still without power are in the Central Interior, where extensive damage east and north of Prince George included approximately 200 spans of downed wire, numerous broken poles and other damaged electrical equipment. Additional crews, contractors and specialized equipment remain in the region, with resources continuing to be redeployed from other parts of the province as restoration work is completed.
"We've now restored power to 99 per cent of customers impacted by these storms, but our job isn't finished until every customer is back on," said Whitney Deane, BC Hydro spokesperson. "Our crews have been working around the clock since Friday through some very challenging conditions. We know it has been a long few days for customers who are still without power, and we appreciate their patience as our crews work through these final, complex repairs."
Restoration continues in the Central Interior
The majority of the remaining outages concentrated in the Central Interior, including the Prince George area and communities north and east of the city. Many of these remaining outages involve extensive damage and complex repairs.
In many locations, crews are rebuilding damaged sections of the electrical system, including replacing poles and crossarms and restringing multiple spans of wire. Some repairs require specialized equipment and additional crews because of the scale and location of the damage.
Access also continues to be a challenge in some areas. Fallen trees and debris must be cleared before crews can reach damaged infrastructure in certain locations, while soft ground can limit where heavy equipment can operate.
BC Hydro has brought additional crews, contractors and specialized equipment into the region and continues to redeploy resources from other parts of the province as restoration work is completed.
For some customers in the hardest-hit rural areas north and east of Prince George, outages are expected to last multiple days, with the earliest restoration expected by late Tuesday evening. BC Hydro recognizes how challenging extended outages can be for customers and appreciates their continued patience. Crews will continue working around the clock until every customer has been restored.
Preparing for more weather
BC Hydro continues to monitor additional weather systems expected to move through the province over the coming days.
Storm rooms remain active, and crews, contractors and equipment are being repositioned as restoration work is completed so they can support areas with the greatest remaining need while ensuring resources are ready to respond quickly to any new outages.
Customers are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of additional outages by keeping their 72-hour emergency kits stocked and mobile devices charged.
Stay safe and informed
Customers should always assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 10 metres back from any downed, damaged or low-hanging wire and call 911 immediately to report it.
Customers can get the latest information on outages and estimated restoration times through the new BC Hydro mobile app or at bchydro.com/outages.
More information about storm and outage preparedness is available at bchydro.com/safety.