Many left without power during cold snap

LANGLEY (NEWS1130) – It was probably the worst day of the year to be without power. 

Thanks to a massive windstorm, thousands shivered in the cold and dark overnight as many BC Hydro customers in the Fraser Valley were left without power.  The big outage only complicated matters for people trying to deal with the frigid weather.

Most people in Langley say they were actually able to handle the situation.  One man tells News1130 the pockets without power that left him in the dark for a few hours was nothing compared to problems in Abbotsford where the outages lasted most of the day Monday.

One man says this case pales in comparison to what he dealt with a few years back.  “The power was down for two days about a year and a half ago.  I had to go get a generator, otherwise all my stuff in the freezer and fridge would go bad.”

At its peak more than 23,000 Fraser Valley customers were without power.

Be prepared for power outages

Simi Heer of BC Hydro says it’s early in the storm season, so it’s good for customers to be prepared for an outage. She reminds us crews are doing their best to get power back on everywhere as fast as possible.

 If you’re ever stuck without electricity, follow some safety tips. “Number one, never use a campstove, propane heater, or a generator indoors.  A build-up of carbon monoxide gas in an unventilated area can be very dangerous.”

Keep an eye on candles.  Always keep flashlights, batteries, bottled water, blankets and warm clothes within easy reach.

“Make sure everyone in your household knows where to find that emergency kit if you do experience an outage.”