BC Hydro Outage Affects Thousands Across Multiple Regions
As of March 12, 2026, a BC Hydro outage has left nearly 6,800 customers without power across Chilliwack and the North Okanagan, primarily due to a series of motor vehicle accidents and a significant windstorm.
In the North Okanagan, approximately 1,600 customers are currently without power. Specifically, 976 customers between Armstrong and Enderby lost electricity as of 7:15 a.m., while another 641 customers along Highway 97 west of Armstrong experienced outages just before 7:30 a.m.
In Chilliwack, the situation is similarly dire. As of 9:38 a.m., there are 20 reported outages impacting a total of 6,796 customers. This includes 1,653 customers south of Keith Wilson Road who lost power at 9:25 p.m. the previous night, as well as 1,147 customers in Sardis who experienced outages at 10:07 p.m., and 864 customers north of Chilliwack Central Road who lost power at 9:30 p.m.
The widespread outages have been exacerbated by a windstorm that has affected Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, with peak wind gusts recorded at 106 km/h in Victoria. This severe weather has contributed to the instability of power lines and infrastructure.
BC Hydro crews are currently working to restore power to affected customers, but the extent of the damage caused by both the accidents and the windstorm remains to be fully assessed. Details remain unconfirmed as the situation develops.
Residents are advised to stay updated through BC Hydro’s official channels for the latest information on restoration efforts and safety precautions during this outage.
