Almost 200K Lower Mainland customers lost power Saturday: BC Hydro

Strong winds across the region have downed trees and power lines, and BC Hydro says almost 200,000 customers across the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast lost power Saturday.

Another 12,000 outages were reported on Vancouver Island.

As of 4:30 p.m., 129,000 outages were still listed.

The hardest-hit area is in Surrey. As of 1 p.m., 75,000 customers in that city were without power.

“The strong winds have resulted in trees and branches contacting electrical infrastructure, which has caused extensive damage,” BC Hydro said in a news release around 1 p.m.

“About 250 BC Hydro and contractor crew members are currently working to repair damage to power lines, power poles, and other equipment in an effort to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible. To provide additional support, BC Hydro is looking to bring in crews from unaffected regions.”

BC Hydro says more outages are expected.

“After a multi-year drought, vegetation has been weakened across the province, making it more susceptible to wind. As a result, many dead and damaged trees and branches have fallen, and are making contact BC Hydro’s electrical equipment,” the utility said

“All available BC Hydro crews and contractor crews are working to repair damage to power lines, power poles and other equipment in an effort to restore customers as quickly and safely as possible. This work will continue throughout the day and into the night.”

BC Hydro reminds customers that downed power lines are considered an emergency, so call 911 and stay at least 10 metres back.

“BC Hydro crews will work with first responders to make the area safe,” it said.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for Saturday that extends into the afternoon, with expected gusts as high as 100 kilometres per hour, warning of the possibility of fallen branches and outages.

The warning triggered multiple ferry cancellations, with many of the major routes affected.