A third day of storms across the South Coast has continued into the night, resulting in power outages for thousands of customers in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
As of Friday morning, many homes in Langley, Surrey and Burnaby are still without power.
At its peak, more than 70,000 BC Hydro customers were left without power throughout southern B.C.
Roads across Metro Vancouver have been littered with tree branches and power lines, making for a busy morning for repair crews.
BC Hydro is currently hopeful power can be restored to all areas by the late morning, but that could change.
FOR FULL LIST OF OUTAGES, CLICK HERE
A fallen tree temporarily blocked traffic on the Lions Gate Bridge, but it has since been reopened for one lane in both directions.
Southeast winds from 60 to 80 km/h were expected throughout the evening, eventually shifting to southwest overnight. Winds are expected ease off by early Friday morning.
The wind made for choppy seas between Vancouver Island and the Mainland.
Wind gusts reached their peak speed on Saturna Island, Race Rocks, Trial Island, Discovery Island, Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Abbotsford, YVR, Victoria and Surrey. Wind gusts on Saturna Island reached 120 km/hr at one point.
This morning, Norma Rose Point School, U-Hill Elementary School and McKechnie Elementary School in Vancouver were all left without power.
As of this afternoon, only McKechnie Elementary School remains without power. Parents there are being asked to make alternative arrangements for their children.
Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Hay said the three days of wet weather have been a “fairly extreme event.”
READ MORE: Third day of heavy rain and strong winds hits the South Coast
“We’re thinking that this (system) is less wet,” she said of the pending storm.
But Hay said the cumulative effect of more precipitation is being felt.
“It’s the sustained impact of the ongoing weather and wind and some melting snow, combined with high rivers and high tides. We are starting to see some impacts.”
If power is out in your own house, you’re asked to call BC Hydro.
– With files from Canadian Press
- Joffre Lakes to close for 3 periods this year under agreement with First Nations
- ‘Why aren’t we doing more?’ White Rock on edge with killer on the loose
- B.C. carjacking victim says she doesn’t trust the ‘catch-and-release’ system
- Inquest into fatal Surrey hostage-taking recommends cameras for ERT teams
Comments