It’s not over yet: B.C. Hydro warns of more storm systems on the way

Branches and trees fell, ferries were cancelled and rain soaked B.C.’s coastal regions on Friday and B.C. Hydro battled power outages.

And the hydro authority says to expect more to come.

“Friday’s storm caused significant damage, and we’re preparing for more challenging weather in the days ahead,” said Whitney Deane, B.C. Hydro spokesperson. “Additional weather systems are expected through mid-week, and some of the winds could be more impactful than what we’ve seen so far. Our crews and resources will be working around the clock to restore power and respond to new outages as quickly and safely as possible, and we’re encouraging customers to be prepared.”

About 80,000 Hydro customers had lost power at the peak of Friday’s storm. In a game of meteorological whack-a-mole crews restored power in one area while falling branches and trees caused new outages in other areas.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, approximately 40,000 customers remain without power as crews worked to restore service.

B.C. Ferries pre-emptively cancelled the majority of its sailings between the mainland and Vancouver Island on Friday.

Zeballos, a village on the east coast of Vancouver Island, was under an evacuation order as the heavy rains sparked a landslide risk.

Parks Canada issued an advisory of extreme wave hazard for the beaches and shorelines in the Pacific Rim National Park.

Two or three more storms are expected to hit the coast between Saturday and Wednesday, with the incoming system on Saturday bringing more heavy rain and strong winds to the south and central coasts.

The region remained under warning on Saturday with southeasterly winds gusting to 90 km/h expected to hit the east coast of Vancouver Island in the afternoon and moving inland, before tapering off around midnight. The same was expected on the Coquihalla Highway and Okanagan Connector.

Prince George and the surrounding communities, were hit hard on Friday, with winds over 100 km/h. Downed power lines caused power outage to 23,000 homes, and almost 30 per cent of Prince George.

Port Hardy, Courtenay and Qualicum also had heavy damage as Hydro crews repaired damaged power lines, poles and boxes.