Strong winds and heavy rain left several thousand B.C. residents without power on Thursday.
It was the result of the first serious storm of the season, coming on the heels of a lengthy fall drought.
A rainfall warning remained in effect for Metro Vancouver’s North Shore and northeast, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge on Thursday evening.
Environment Canada said another 50 to 70 mm of rain could fall, and warned that strong winds of 60 km/h gusting to 80 km/h were still possible near the Georgia Strait.
BC Hydro said it had made significant progress restoring power to affected customers, and that crews would work into the night.
As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 28, BC Hydro reported around 2,309 customers were without power, down from a peak of more than 100,000.
The regional breakdown is as follows:
- Lower Mainland: 782 customers without power.
- Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands: 141 customers without power.
- North: 1,251 customers without power.
- Central Interior: 122 customers without power.
- Thompson/Shuswap: 13 customers without power.
“The wind knocked down trees and branches causing them to come into contact with BC Hydro’s electrical equipment,” said BC Hydro staff, in a release.
“All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are working to restore power. Crews will continue to work throughout the (Thursday).”
Crews are still receiving reports of downed power lines around the province.
BC Hydro is urging residents to report all downed power lines to its hotline at 1-800-224-9376 or to call 911.
DriveBC is also reporting a downed cable has created a large traffic delay near the Brunette Ave. exit on Highway 1, heading westbound.
Some schools were also affected by the power outages.
In Langley, a five schools went without power Thursday, but the school district said classes continued as usual.
BC Hydro is providing updates and estimates for power restoration as they become available on its website.
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