Windstorm Triggers Widespread Power Outages Across Vancouver and B.C. Coast
A powerful windstorm has swept across British Columbia’s South Coast, leaving daily life disrupted for tens of thousands of people, especially around Vancouver and nearby coastal communities. As of Monday afternoon, it was reported that more than 90,000 BC Hydro customers were without power, and the situation was still evolving as strong winds continued to batter the region.
The outages have been spread across a wide area, including the Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands. In the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast alone, around 50,000 customers were left in the dark, while nearly 40,000 customers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands experienced similar disruptions. Some of the hardest-hit communities included Langley, Maple Ridge, Victoria, Duncan, and Qualicum, where gusty winds and falling debris caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure.
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According to BC Hydro, the scale of the outages has been worsened by weakened vegetation. After several years of drought conditions, many trees and branches have become brittle and unstable. When the strong winds arrived, trees that were already dead or damaged were easily toppled, and many of them fell directly onto power lines and other electrical equipment. As a result, power interruptions were triggered rapidly and across multiple regions at the same time.
Crews were deployed as quickly as conditions allowed, and restoration work was said to be ongoing throughout the evening and overnight. However, officials warned that more outages could still occur if the winds continued or intensified. In some areas, access to damaged lines has been challenging due to flooding, heavy rain, and debris-strewn roads, which has slowed repair efforts.
Public safety reminders were strongly emphasized during the storm. Residents were urged to stay well away from any downed power lines, keeping at least 10 metres back, and to call emergency services immediately if a fallen line was spotted. These warnings were issued repeatedly, as downed lines can remain extremely dangerous even if they appear inactive.
Meanwhile, the same weather system has brought additional problems to the region. Flooding has been reported in parts of the Fraser Valley, and unusually heavy rainfall in Squamish even prompted local officials to temporarily limit water use. On Vancouver Island, communities like Parksville and Qualicum Beach also saw thousands of customers lose power due to trees crashing onto hydro lines, further highlighting how widespread the storm’s impact has been.
As the storm continues to move through coastal B.C., residents have been advised to stay informed, prepare for possible extended outages, and check official updates for restoration timelines. For many, this windstorm has been a stark reminder of how quickly severe weather can disrupt essential services across the region.
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