Over 10,000 hydro customers across Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands were without power Saturday morning, as strong winds continue to hit the B.C. Coast.
By the afternoon crews were able to cut the number down to about half.
Dozens of outages are scattered across the South Island, mainly in Sooke and Greater Victoria.
Many of the Gulf Islands, such as Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, and Pender Island are mostly without power.
B.C. Hydro says the heavy winds overnight and this morning have caused significant outages in the region.
They say crews are continuing work to restore power to affected customers and individual restoration updates will be posted as they are available.
Updates on outages can be found here.
On the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast, almost 20,000 customers have been affected.
A map from B.C. Hydro shows the outages impacting customers Saturday (B.C. Hydro)
A wind warning was issued for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands Friday.
The weather agency said northeast outflow winds will strengthen to 70 kilometres an hour with gusts to 90 this evening as the arctic front moves across the area.
Saturday the agency said northeast outflow winds gusting up to 90 km/h will continue, and will ease below warning criteria near midday but remain blustery.
CHEK News
