National

BC Hydro says most power outages fixed after bomb cyclone, but new storm looms

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Nov, 2024 10:53 AM

BC Hydro says it has restored power to 90 per cent of customers who lost electricity this week when hurricane-force winds slammed into parts of the British Columbia coast, but forecasters say a new storm is on the way.

Winds from the so-called bomb cyclone weather system exceeded 100 km/h in some places Wednesday, with Environment Canada data showing remote Sartine Island off northern Vancouver Island hit by the most powerful gusts of the day, reaching 113 km/h.

#BCStorm update: Crews have been working around the clock since the windstorm began on Tuesday and have restored power to more than 90% of customers. Around 28,000 remain without power on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Work will continue throughout the day. Read our… pic.twitter.com/IybVeibXVF
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) November 21, 2024

The power utility says that as of 6:30 a.m. Thursday, 290,000 of the 320,000 customers affected by outages had regained power.

That leaves 28,000 people without electricity, but BC Hydro says crews have been "working around the clock" since Tuesday night, replacing dozens of downed power lines, poles and other electrical equipment.

#BCstorm update: With 80% of customers restored, all available crews are continuing to work throughout the night tonight to bring power back to more customers. There’s extensive damage and tough conditions but they’re working as quickly and safely as possible to restore remaining… pic.twitter.com/N5lED2DPCK
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) November 21, 2024

Environment Canada says strong winds are expected to continue today for inlets and valleys along the north and central coast.

The weather office also issued another special weather statement for Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, saying another fall storm will bring high winds again on Friday .

It says windspeeds are expected to increase throughout the day before easing by Saturday, and the Environment Canada is again warning about possible power outages and travel delays.

There is also a wind warning for southern sections of Howe Sound including Bowen Island, with gusts of up to 90 km/h expected overnight, peaking Friday morning before easing in the afternoon.

Further east, the office issued a snowfall warning for the Kootenay Lake region, with up to 25 cm expected before tapering this morning.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

3 charged in a drug operation in Richmond

Police in Metro Vancouver say three people have been charged after a multi-year investigation into an alleged drug trafficking operation in Richmond. R-C-M-P say the probe began in November 2021, and searches at multiple properties in that city, as well as Vancouver, turned up some 15-hundred tablets of alleged M-D-M-A as well as 3.6 kilograms of methamphetamine.

3 charged in a drug operation in Richmond

Report details anti-Black racism in the public service, calls for commissioner

A government-funded report says Black executives within the public service are subjected to harassment and intimidation, career stagnation, unjust workloads and, as one executive wrote, a "cesspool of racism." Lawyer Rachel Zellars, who authored the report for the Black Executives Network, wrote that the interviews she conducted with 73 participants were the "most distressing" she has witnessed and recorded. Of the 73 people she interviewed, 63 are current employees.

Report details anti-Black racism in the public service, calls for commissioner

Feds launching research institute for AI safety

The federal government is opening a research centre that will study the dangers posed by artificial intelligence technology. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the launch of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute in Montreal on Tuesday. He said the centre will be important for building public trust in artificial intelligence technology.

Feds launching research institute for AI safety

2 dozen tires slashed in Nanaimo

A man has been arrested in connection to dozens of tires being slashed overnight in two Nanaimo parking lots. R-C-M-P say officers located 20 vehicles with their tires slashed in a parking lot in the 200 block of Franklyn Street, while another three vehicles with slashed tires were found a short time later in the 300 block of Selby Street.

2 dozen tires slashed in Nanaimo

Canada's privacy commissioner opens investigation into World Anti-Doping Agency

The federal privacy watchdog has opened an investigation into the World Anti-Doping Agency's handling of biological samples collected from athletes. The office of privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne says the investigation will examine whether the collection, use and disclosure practices of the organization respect Canada's personal information law for the private sector.

Canada's privacy commissioner opens investigation into World Anti-Doping Agency

Union says it will challenge Ottawa's intervention in B.C. port work stoppages

The union representing locked-out port workers in British Columbia says it plans to challenge the federal government's intervention in the ongoing labour dispute. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship & Dock Foremen Local 514 called the government's move an insult to the union and to workers' bargaining rights.