More than 225,000 BC Hydro customers were without power Tuesday night as a massive windstorm caused damage across BC’s South Coast.
The high winds, blamed on a bomb cyclone, left trees toppled and downed power lines across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
The storm was slated to arrive Tuesday and not make landfall, instead build about 400 km off the coast of Vancouver Island.
Experts have explained BC has experienced a bomb cyclone a few times in recent years and it is categorized as a rapidly deepening low pressure system. While it can bring rain, the winds are the primary concern.
BC Hydro working around the clock
As of 10 pm, more than 225,000 BC Hydro customers have been impacted by the storm and the power authority says “additional outages expected as the strong winds continue.”
BC Hydro outages as of 10:24 pm on Tuesday/BC Hydro
“In preparation for the storm, BC Hydro sent crews home early on Tuesday to ensure a strong overnight response. All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are responding to the extensive damage caused by branches and trees contacting BC Hydro’s electrical infrastructure,” reads a release from hydro.
#BCStorm update: High winds have caused extensive damage to our system and outages to over 180,000 customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and on Vancouver Island. Crews will continue to work throughout the night to make repairs and restore power. High winds and access… pic.twitter.com/oSszz3CWjX
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) November 20, 2024
Damage seen across Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver
The bomb cyclone has caused countless trees to topple across the region, including some onto power lines.
Tree down on wires in #NorthVan at Old Dollarton and Ellis. #WindStorm @RyanVoutilainen @Brad604 @PeterVogel pic.twitter.com/Jrmus94bto
— The Gardener General (@SowSayWeAll) November 20, 2024
Poco RCMP setting up Road Closed barricades as a lot of trees came down on Coast Meridian and Apel. 925pm. Coast Meridian is closed SB after Apel. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/cCCGPyBsKH
— Brad604 (@Brad604) November 20, 2024
#BCStorm #YYJ #VancouverIsland pic.twitter.com/pVSZmsAcZW
— Charlie ND 🇨🇦 (@charliefrom6) November 20, 2024
On Vancouver Island, a number of highways were also shutdown because of the storm and the province warned drivers to avoid travel for the remainder of Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
Highways closed include:
- Highway 4 from Highway 4A (Errington) to Port Alberni, and from Port Alberni to the Tofino/Ucluelet junction
- Highway 14 west of Sooke
- Highway 18 at Hillcrest
- Highway 28 from Gold River to Campbell River
- Pacific Marine Circle Route
Drivers are being told to expect additional closures as the storm moves through. This low is forecast is expected to curl northwards on Wednesday towards the Central Coast.