Many without power, some highway shutdowns in B.C. among stormy situations

Key takeaways:

About 14,000 consumers were without power Saturday afternoon; avalanche situations in southern B.C.
B.C. Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder stated staff are operating near the watch to bring power back for affected homes.

Stormy situations in BC, many homes remain without power:

Thousands of British Columbians are yet without power Saturday due to the rough climate.

B.C. Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder stated that at the peak of the outages around 14,000 customers across the region were impacted. Most of the outages were forced by a stormy climate.

Rieder stated especially badly-hit provinces include Vancouver Island, the Southern Interior and several locations in the Fraser Valley.

“Right now our teams are operating around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible,” she stated, counting it’s hard to expect when power will be fixed and how much harm the storm will yield. Source – cbc.ca

She stated every home should have an emergency kit prepared with a flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, water and food.

“We urge everybody to be prepared,” stated Rieder. Source – cbc.ca

“If you do come across a downed line, always think it’s live even if it’s not flashing, smoking or making a buzzing sound. Stay back at least 10 metres and call 911.” Source – cbc.ca

BC highways closed and thousands remain without power

Avalanche danger

Avalanche Canada is cautioning that serious snowfall and powerful wind are forming unstable avalanche situations in southern B.C.

“Dodging avalanche terrain will be crucial to controlling your danger on Saturday. Stick to simple, low-angle slopes with no overhead hazard,” read the notice for B.C.’s south coast. Source – cbc.ca

Drive B.C. has declared some highway shutdowns due to avalanche jobs, including on the Kootenay Pass between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. PT Saturday.

Highway 1 between Golden Donald Upper Road and Ten Mile Hill Truck Stop Road will also be shut for avalanche management work on Sunday morning between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. PT.