Thousands lost power as wind storm hit Lower Mainland, BC Hydro working to restore customers

As the wind kicked up in the Lower Mainland beginning Thursday afternoon, thousands of BC Hydro customers were still without power Friday morning due to downed wires and fallen trees.

BC Hydro says more than 80,000 customers have been affected by the power outages since Thursday.

The largest outages in the region were seen at the UBC Endowment Lands, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Bowen Island.

Smaller outages were also seen in Richmond and New Westminster, and on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Mora Scott, BC Hydro spokesperson, tells CityNews that the energy provider is working hard to restore connection to its customers.

“[As of 9 a.m.] we currently have about 10,000 customers without power here in the Lower Mainland. That’s down from about 68,000 customers that were impacted through the afternoon and evening yesterday,” she said.

“So, our crews have been hard at work since yesterday afternoon. They’ve worked overnight and they’ll continue to work throughout this morning and this afternoon to get everyone’s power restored.”

Scott explains that BC Hydro draws all its available crews and calls in extra contractors when weather events like this happen.

“Our crews are dealing with a number of trees and branches on lines, so that’s what’s kept them really busy — replacing wire poles and other equipment that was damaged in the wind event yesterday,” she said.

Scott is reminding people that during a storm if you come across a downed line, you should stay at least 10 metres back — “the length of a bus” — and call 911 immediately.

“BC Hydro crews and first responders will work together to make the scene safe,” she explained.

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–With files from Sonia Aslam