BC Hydro is warning residents in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island that some customers will be without power overnight as cleanup from a powerful windstorm continues.
According to meteorologists at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Monday’s “vigorous frontal system” will be going strong until the evening, with 100 km winds gusting from the northwest until it moves through the region.
Over 200,000 residents were impacted by power outages across the South Coast and Vancouver Island, with BC Hydro crews working around the clock on repairs.
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“At this time, BC Hydro can confirm there will be some customers without power overnight due to the significant damage,” the province’s electric utility said in a statement.”
“Crews will work throughout the night and into the day tomorrow until all customers are restored. BC Hydro wants to thank its customers for their patience, and it will continue to provide updated estimates for power restoration as they become available.
BC Hydro
BC Hydro added that crews have restored power to over 76,000 customers, though there are still nearly 150,000 residents without power as of 2:30 pm on Monday.
The hardest-hit areas are currently Surrey, Victoria, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Sechelt. One hundred fifteen thousand residents in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast and 34,000 on Vancouver Island are still in the dark.
“Today’s strong wind and heavy rain knocked down trees and branches – many of them weakened by the multi-year drought – causing them to contact BC Hydro’s electrical equipment,” BC Hydro added. “All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are working to restore power, and they are busy repairing damaged power lines, power poles and other equipment.”