Based on coverage from The Economic Times, Global News, Castanet, Maple Ridge News, Langley Advance Times, Mission City Record, and Oak Bay News.
A powerful windstorm combined with an atmospheric river has wreaked havoc across British Columbia's Lower Mainland, leaving thousands without power. The storm, which began over the weekend, brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing significant disruptions to electricity services. BC Hydro crews have been working tirelessly to restore power to affected areas, including Abbotsford, Richmond, and the Kootenay region.
BC Hydro Faces Massive Outages
By early Monday morning, about 24,000 BC Hydro customers were without power due to the storm. This number fluctuated throughout the day, with reports indicating that by 3:30 p.m., approximately 90,000 customers across the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands were affected. The hardest-hit areas included Langley, Maple Ridge, Victoria, Duncan, and Qualicum. BC Hydro's outage map showed disruptions primarily caused by fallen trees on power lines, exacerbated by weakened vegetation from years of drought.
Restoration Efforts Underway
BC Hydro crews have been dispatched to various locations to address the outages. In Abbotsford, one of the largest outages left 4,608 customers without power. Meanwhile, in Richmond, 270 customers faced prolonged outages despite crews being on site. Efforts are also ongoing in Fort Langley, Fintry, and the Kootenay region, where hundreds of customers remain affected. BC Hydro has assured residents that updates on restoration timelines will be provided as they become available.
Safety Concerns and Precautions
With strong winds continuing, BC Hydro has warned of potential additional outages. The utility company has emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to call 911 immediately if they encounter downed power lines and to maintain a distance of at least 10 metres. Crews are working alongside first responders to ensure affected areas are safe.
Weather Conditions and Future Forecast
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for several regions, including the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen, and Fraser Canyon. A vigorous cold front is expected to bring strong southwesterly wind gusts, potentially causing further tree damage and power outages. Winds are anticipated to ease by Wednesday morning as the front moves eastward. Meanwhile, the Lower Mainland is bracing for additional rainfall, with forecasts predicting up to 70 millimetres in areas like Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Community Impact and Response
The widespread outages have had a significant impact on communities, with businesses and schools temporarily closing due to the lack of electricity. In Mission, for instance, power outages led to the closure of Edwin S. Richards Elementary and Hillside Traditional Academy. Local businesses in Aldergrove also reported temporary closures. BC Hydro has expressed gratitude to customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power safely and efficiently.
As BC continues to grapple with the aftermath of the storm, residents are advised to stay informed through BC Hydro's website for the latest updates and estimated restoration times.
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Coverage was consistent across the sources, with all reporting on the severe windstorm in British Columbia that left approximately 90,000 BC Hydro customers without power. No meaningful differences in coverage were found across the sources provided.
