With more snow and a windstorm in the forecast, BC Hydro is reminding customers to be prepared for possible weather-related power outages.
According to BC Hydro, there is a potential for major snow and wind events on Vancouver Island and the South Coast as the winter weather continues.
Just before 3:30 p.m., close to 6,000 customers are without power on Vancouver Island. The areas heavily impacted are Alert Bay, Port McNeill, Tofino, Metchosin and Sooke.
There is also a wind warning in effect for east Vancouver Island – Duncan to Nanaimo, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands.
There is a snowfall warning in effect for the Malahat Highway – Goldstream to Mill Bay, inland Vancouver Island, north Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.
BC Ferries cancelled sailings on its major routes ahead of the windstorm Wednesday.
BC Hydro said while it prepares for storm season year-round, it has also taken extra measures ahead of this particular storm, and crews are on standby to restore power should the lights go out.
Due to the difficulty of predicting storm damage and length of power outages, BC Hydro recommends customers have an emergency kit with a flashlight, extra batteries, first-aid kit, three days’ worth of ready-to-eat non-perishable foods and bottled water.
Outage information can be found online at bchydro.com/outages or call 1-800-BCHYDRO if an outage isn’t listed.
The public is also reminded to always assume a downed power line is live and dangerous, and to report it to 911.
CHEK News
