Winds cause power outages for thousands, delay B.C. Ferries sailings

Strong winds knocked out power to thousands of homes on the B.C. South Coast Friday, while ferry passengers faced delays and cancellations on several B.C. Ferries sailings.

More than 30,000 homes across the Lower Mainland lost power Friday, said B.C. Hydro, with about 20,000 still without electricity as of Friday afternoon.

“The outages were primarily being by trees and branches coming into contact with power lines and electrical equipment as a result of strong wind conditions,” said B.C. Hydro in an emailed statement.

“Many trees still have a significant amount of foliage, making them more susceptible to wind damage and increasing the likelihood of branches and trees falling onto our system.”

Burnaby and Vancouver were hardest hit, with about 15,000 and 7,000 households affected respectively, as well as Port Coquitlam (6,000) and Surrey (4,000).

B.C. Hydro said customers in Burnaby should expect to see their power come back by early evening.

Environment Canada did not issue a wind warning, but forecast wind gusts of up to 50 km/h in Vancouver and up to 70 km/h near the Strait of Georgia.

The weather also disrupted ferry service ahead of the busy Thanksgiving long weekend.

A power outage at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal delayed an afternoon sailing, and causing a ripple effect affecting the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. sailings departing Tsawwassen, and the 7 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay.

Sailings between Texada Island and Powell River were cancelled Friday afternoon because of high winds.

Service on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route was also running behind schedule following an earlier mechanical issue with a vessel door. B.C. Ferries said the 3:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. sailings from Tsawwassen and the 5:45 p.m. sailing from Duke Point.

chchan@postmedia.com