Massive Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power in British Columbia
A significant storm has swept through British Columbia, leading to widespread power outages and school closures. This weather event marks the third major power disruption in the province within a week.
Storm Impact and Power Outages
On Wednesday morning, as the storm peaked, approximately 120,000 customers were left without power. By 3 p.m., this number decreased to around 30,000. The Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast experienced the majority of the outages, according to B.C. Hydro.
Due to the power loss, several schools canceled classes. Affected regions included:
- Maple Ridge
- Pitt Meadows
- Langley
- Abbotsford
- Kootenay-Columbia
- Kootenay Lake
Conditions Contributing to Storm Damage
Kevin Aquino from B.C. Hydro highlighted that years of historic drought have weakened trees, making them more vulnerable during storms. This factor has contributed significantly to the current outages.
On the same day, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for much of southern British Columbia. Experts anticipated wind gusts between 80 km/h and 100 km/h. These conditions raised concerns about further tree damage, power outages, and travel delays.
Safety Precautions
Residents were urged to secure loose items outdoors and avoid fallen power lines. A tragic incident was reported where a woman in Chilliwack lost her life due to a falling tree in a local park.
Flooding Recovery Efforts
In addition to the storm’s impact, the Fraser Valley is still dealing with the aftermath of recent flooding, which led to states of local emergency and evacuations. Some areas remain under flood warnings as river levels are high.
However, there was a positive development. The City of Abbotsford downgraded many evacuation orders and lifted alerts for nearly 500 properties. Despite this, some road closures remain due to ongoing flood damage.
Weather Advisories and Transportation Updates
A high streamflow advisory is active for the Sumas River area, Vancouver Island, and the Central Coast, indicating potential rapid increases in river levels. Residents were advised to avoid riverbanks and not drive through flooded areas.
Transportation remains affected as well. A section of Highway 3 southeast of Hope is closed, and several highways in Metro Vancouver report pooling water due to heavy rainfall. Additionally, reduced speed limits are in effect on Highway 1 around the Fraser Valley.
The recent storm not only underscores the ongoing challenges faced by British Columbia in terms of weather-related events but also highlights the importance of community preparedness and safety measures during such occurrences.
