Power Outage in Northern British Columbia
Strong winds have knocked out power for thousands in northern British Columbia, with about 14,000 customers currently without electricity. The outages are primarily affecting several communities along B.C. Highway 16, 37, and 37 A, including Terrace, Burns Lake, Hazelton, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, and Stewart.
Crews are actively working to restore power; however, ongoing winds could slow repairs and leave some customers in the dark overnight. Wind gusts have been recorded at close to 90 kilometres per hour, with forecasts indicating the potential for gusts to strengthen to 100 km/h.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued wind warnings for areas like the Chilcotin region and parts of northern B.C., highlighting the severity of the weather conditions contributing to the outages. The agency predicts that winds will ease by Sunday morning, which may assist in the restoration efforts.
DriveBC has also issued warnings for travellers in the region, advising them to be cautious of fallen trees and debris on the roads due to the high winds. These conditions pose additional challenges not only for power restoration but also for safe travel in the affected areas.
The outages come as Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several wind and rainfall alerts across parts of the province, indicating a broader weather pattern impacting the region. As the situation develops, local authorities and utility companies continue to monitor conditions closely.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline for power restoration, but officials are urging residents to stay informed and prepared as crews work diligently to resolve the situation.
