The massive windstorm that tore across southern B.C. Thursday may have passed, but there is damage and destruction in its wake. For those who lost power during the storm, BC Hydro offers cold comfort, noting that some customers could remain without service for days.
Screenshot taken just before 7 am on Fri. Dec. 21, 2018 showing outages in Metro Vancouver (BC Hydro)
"Yesterday's windstorm was one of the most severe storms BC Hydro has experienced in years, causing extensive damage to electrical infrastructure across Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley," says BC Hydro.
The utility says they have been and will be "working around the clock until all damage is repaired."
As of 7 am Friday there are 416 outages in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast, affecting 58,317 customers. On Vancouver Island, about 90,000 customers are starting off Friday in the dark as well.
Some communities at the southern coastal base of B.C., like Tsawwassen and White Rock, are experiencing the most prolific and widespread of the outages.
@4Echo13 / Twitter
Thursday's violent windstorm started early in the morning as it made its way across the region. BC Ferries canceled much of its service, particularly those routes using the Tsawwassen terminal. Trees have fallen all over Metro Vancouver, and the historic White Rock Pier was destroyed, with one person needing a helicopter rescue.
