Bomb cyclone slams B.C.: Highways closed, thousands without power, trees down

Tens of thousands of British Columbians were without power on Wednesday after a bomb cyclone brought strong winds overnight.

However, more than 210,000 customers have had their power restored of the more than 300,000 impacted, BC Hydro said in an update.

3:24 Major clean up underway after bomb cyclone knocks out power, downs trees on B.C.’s South Coast

As of 11:30 a.m., about 90,000 customers were without power. The majority, about 80,000, are on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The hardest hit areas are currently Nanaimo, Victoria, Duncan, Ladysmith and Port Hardy.

Langara College’s main campus on West 49th Avenue is closed until 12 p.m. due to the power outage.

On Tuesday evening in North Vancouver, a tree fell on power lines causing an explosion.

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Trees were brought down in areas including Vancouver, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam. Some fell on cars and blocked roads, however, there have been no reports of any injuries.

4:04 Bomb cyclone hits B.C.’s South Coast

Several highways on Vancouver Island remain closed, including Highway 4 east of Port Alberni where trees and branches littered the road.

Crews used equipment to remove larger pieces but the closures did cause some collisions.

Highways closed include:

• Highway 4 from Highway 4A (Errington) to Port Alberni, and from Port Alberni to Tofino/Ucluelet junction
• Highway 14 west of Sooke
• Highway 18 at Hillcrest
• Highway 28 from Gold River to Campbell River
• Pacific Marine Circle Route

The storm also affected BC Ferries.

Most sailings on Tuesday evening were cancelled due to the incoming storm.

The company has said trips on Wednesday morning are also scrapped due to the sustained winds.

A wind warning is still in place for Howe Sound, eastern Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands.

4:14 Preparations underway, BC Ferries cancelled as bomb cyclone forecast off B.C. coast

Environment Canada said peak wind gusts in Metro Vancouver reached 78 km/h at Vancouver’s airport, and 87 km/h at the Delta Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

In the Greater Victoria area, wind gusts reached 96 km/h at Discovery Island, 113 km/h at Race Rocks, 74 km/h in Victoria’s harbour and 69 km/h at Victoria’s International Airport.

On northern Vancouver Island, wind gusts reached 170 km/h at Sartine Island, 137 km/h at Solander Island, 102 km/h at Herbert Island and 102 km/h at Port Hardy’s airport.