A test for Canada's emergency alert system is set to take place just as British Columbia cleans up from a so-called "bomb cyclone" weather system that cut power and battered parts of the coast with hurricane-force winds.
The national alert system is typically tested twice a year, with the next test set to take place today at 1:55 p.m. Pacific time.
The test involves an alert tone and message broadcast to radio, television and compatible mobile devices.
While the messages should clearly say the alert is a test, it comes as about 80,000 people remain without power across B.C., mostly on Vancouver Island, and as weather warnings remain in place for parts of the province's south coast.
Winds exceeded 100 km/h in multiple areas late Tuesday, with gusts recorded on the remote Sartine Island off the northern tip of Vancouver Island at up to 170 km/h, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.
Wind warnings from Environment Canada remain posted for western Vancouver Island, where gusts of up to 110 km/h were expected to peak Wednesday morning before easing somewhat later in the day.
Stretches of several highways on Vancouver Island were closed because of downed power lines, fallen trees and debris, while BC Ferries cancelled additional sailings on its major routes Wednesday morning due to safety concerns stemming from high winds.
