Strong wind storm knocks out power to nearly 100,000 BC Hydro customers across B.C.

Strong winds moving across southern British Columbia have left close to 100,000 BC Hydro customers without electricity, with the largest number of outages reported in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and on Vancouver Island.

BC Hydro said more than 90,000 customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast region lost power overnight and into the morning hours, while an additional 11,000 customers were affected on Vancouver Island. Crews were dispatched across multiple regions as conditions allowed.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, warning of westerly wind gusts reaching up to 80 kilometres per hour. In the Fraser Valley, a more severe wind warning remained in effect, with southwesterly gusts expected to reach 100 kilometres per hour.

The wind storm followed the passage of a cold front that brought heavy rainfall to much of the south coast. The rain prompted flood warnings in parts of the Fraser Valley, compounding concerns for residents already dealing with saturated ground and rising waterways.

Environment Canada and BC Hydro are urging the public to secure loose outdoor items and stay clear of downed power lines, reminding residents to report outages and hazards through official channels.