As of late Wednesday, more than 55,000 BC Hydro customers remain without power, most of them on Vancouver Island, after a fall storm hit the British Columbia coast.
Up to 272,000 BC Hydro customers were left without power at the height of the outages.
The Crown corporation announces that it still has teams deployed to northern Vancouver Island to repair damage, such as broken power poles, downed power lines, but also to clear fallen trees.
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Trees fell on power lines, like here along the Malahat Highway in northwest Victoria.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Chad Hipolito
Due to the extent of the damage, BC Hydro expects some customers to be without power overnight or longer due to the unfavorable conditions and the extent of the damage sustained.
said a spokesperson on Wednesday. Crews will continue to work around the clock until power is restored to all customers.
Although the response was strong, teams encountered challenges that slowed progress in some areas
wrote a BC Hydro spokesperson.
These include access difficulties due to the presence of significant debris on certain roads, and sustained violent winds in certain areas which make the work of teams too dangerous.
Gusts up to 170 km/h
According to Environment Canada, gusts of up to 170 km/h were recorded by the Sartine Island weather station, just off the north coast of Vancouver Island.
On Vancouver Island, several roads were closed to traffic Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning due to trees, branches or electrical poles falling on the roadway. Most were able to reopen during the day Wednesday, but in the evening, Route 14, from French Beach to Port Renfrew, remained closed. On the Coal Harbor road, traffic is moving in one lane on an alternating basis, Wednesday evening.
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On Vancouver Island, the portion of Route 4, between French Beach and Port Renfrew, remains closed to traffic Wednesday evening, due to numerous trees and branches on the roadway.
Photo : Josie Osborne
Improvement
Environment Canada warns that strong winds persist north of Vancouver Island with gusts to 90 km/h Wednesday evening which will weaken overnight.
Infrared satellite image for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:20 a.m. PT
Photo: Government of Canada
Gusts up to 70 km/h and rain are expected in Tofino, however precipitation will decrease on Thursday, as for the rest of the island.
BC Ferries
As of Wednesday morning, most BC Ferries sailings were canceled, including those between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Crossings between Cortes Island and Quadra Island were still canceled Wednesday evening, due to strong winds still present in the area.
Open emergency centers
The City of Vancouver is extending the opening of six emergency centers on Wednesday evening for people experiencing homelessness.
With information from Darius Mahdavi, Liam Britten, broadcasts On The Coast, On The Island and Reuters
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