BC Hydro expects more outages as a second storm hits B.C.

About 40,000 BC Hydro customers remained without power Saturday morning after Friday’s storm. The utility said more outages were expected as further storms moved into B.C. over the weekend. About 80,000 customers were without power at the height of Friday’s storm, but the total affected during the day was much higher as strong winds moved across different parts of the province. While crews restored power in some areas, falling trees and branches caused new outages elsewhere. BC Hydro said the stormy weather was far from over.

The utility said its meteorologists were closely monitoring two or three more weather systems expected to affect B.C. through the middle of next week. Spokesperson Whitney Deane said Friday’s storm caused significant damage and the company was preparing for more challenging weather in the days ahead. Some of the winds in the incoming systems could have a greater impact than those seen so far, she said. Crews and resources would work around the clock to restore power and respond to new outages as quickly and safely as possible. BC Hydro urged customers to be prepared.

**Friday’s storm toll**

The storm brought high winds and heavy rain to much of the province and cancelled dozens of BC Ferries sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Environment Canada recorded a peak gust of 74 km/h at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on Friday. Gusts were stronger on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast: Comox recorded 81 km/h and Powell River recorded 93 km/h.

On Vancouver Island’s northwest coast, the Village of Zeballos issued evacuation orders and declared a state of local emergency because of landslide risk. Environment Canada reported 205 millimetres of rain in Zeballos during Friday’s storm.

**Wind and rain warnings continue**

Environment Canada issued wind warnings for Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island as Saturday’s storm intensified. Gusts of 70 to 90 km/h were expected across most of the area, with gusts as high as 110 km/h forecast for the north island. The strongest winds across most of the South Coast were expected in the evening, easing around midnight.

Rainfall warnings remained in effect for much of Vancouver Island, but not the Lower Mainland.

**BC Hydro works to restore power**

BC Hydro said the hardest-hit areas for outages Saturday morning were Prince George and surrounding communities, Port Hardy, Courtenay and Qualicum. Crews were repairing damaged power lines, poles and other electrical equipment, with restoration work expected to continue throughout the day. The utility said it was preparing for an extended storm response in the coming days, with in-house and contractor crews working around the clock to address outages as they occurred.

The company said its in-house meteorologists monitor incoming systems and use advanced forecasting and outage-prediction tools to anticipate where the greatest impacts could occur. That helps position crews, contractors, damage assessors and other resources where they are needed most.

BC Hydro encouraged customers to prepare for outages by stocking a 72-hour emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and first-aid supplies. More information about storm and outage preparedness is available at https://www.bchydro.com/safety.