Winter storm leaves over 10,000 hydro customers without power on Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands

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Over 10,000 B.C. Hydro customers were without power Sunday following a winter snow that hit parts of eastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

B.C. Hydro says that all available crews were working to restore power over the weekend, but were experiencing challenges such as icy roads, continued winds and limited visibility.

Some of the largest outages for Vancouver Island were between Chemainus and Cumberland ? and near Victoria.

Hydro customers significantly impacted included:

  • 3,369 on Gabriola Island
  • 2,690 in Langford
  • 1,849 in Chemainus
  • 1,281 in Qualicum Beach
BC Hydro map showing outages across B.C.

BC Hydro map showing outages across B.C.

Some customers still did not have power by Monday.

The outages follow a strong Arctic Ridge that made its way into the province Saturday night.

A snowfall warning was issued for eastern Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands by Environment Canada Saturday.

Multiple other special weather statements and wind warnings were issued for eastern and southern Vancouver Island ? and the southern Gulf Islands, warning of possible snow and strong winds.

A wind warning was still in place for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands Sunday? saying winds should ease by late Sunday night.

Many B.C. Hydro customers in other areas of B.C. such as the lower mainland and Sunshine Coast were also without power.

BC Hydro says at the peak of the storm, 30,000 customers across the province lost power.

An interactive map showing outages and progress by hydro crews can be found here.

Snow pictured Sunday morning in Nanaimo

Snow pictured Sunday morning in Nanaimo

Julian KolsutJulian Kolsut

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