Strong wind, heavy rain knock out power to hundreds of thousands in B.C.

Wind warnings are in effect for much of southern B.C., where storms have knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of BC Hydro customers.

The utility says as of 10:30 p.m., more than 218,000 customers were without electricity on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland.

The hardest hit areas include Surrey, Victoria, Nanaimo, Qualicum and Parksville, and BC Hydro warns outage numbers will likely climb given the continuing strong winds.

The company says trees and branches already weakened by the drought this summer have been knocked down by the wind.

Crews are working overnight to repair damaged power lines, hydro poles and other equipment in order to restore electricity to all customers.

Environment Canada says the northwesterly winds gusting up to 90 km/h are expected to ease overnight.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2022.

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