100 Km/h Winds Hit BC as Some Vancouver Island Homes Remain Without Power
BC Hydro is cautioning customers in remote areas of Vancouver Island that they may experience power outages until late Saturday, as winds from another strong storm sweep the coast.
This latest fall storm, with gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, is not as severe as the bomb cyclone that caused power outages for over 300,000 properties earlier this week, according to Environment Canada.
While BC Hydro has restored power to most customers, there are still “small pockets” on Vancouver Island that may remain without power until Saturday evening.
BC Hydro’s outage list shows over 11,000 customers without power, with the majority of outages on the island, which was heavily impacted by the bomb cyclone—a potent storm triggered by rapidly plummeting atmospheric pressure.
Environment Canada has issued numerous special weather statements and wind warnings for Vancouver Island and the B.C. south coast today due to the latest storm, which, although less intense than the previous one, is expected to bring increasing winds throughout the day, peaking in the afternoon.
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The weather office predicts that the most intense gusts, reaching up to 110 km/h, will be felt along West Vancouver Island before calming down overnight or early Saturday.
Gusts of 100 km/h were recorded in Howe Sound before dawn, while other areas experienced gusts nearing 90 km/h.
Despite this storm being less severe than the previous one and with generally lower peak wind speeds, strong winds could still cause damage, disruptions, and impede clean-up efforts, warns the weather office.
The weather office has also issued snowfall warnings for Coquihalla Summit from Hope to Merritt and Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.
The Coquihalla is expected to receive approximately 15 cm of snow on Friday, while the Highway 3 region could see up to 40 cm before tapering off by Sunday afternoon.
Fernie and Morrissey are under additional snowfall warnings, with up to 30 cm of snow expected by Sunday, as well as South Peace River, anticipating 15 cm of snow overnight.
