Impact of the Windstorm
A powerful windstorm has knocked out power to thousands of homes in the eastern Fraser Valley, with more than 11,000 customers affected across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast. The outages have been particularly severe in the Agassiz-Harrison area, where over 1,800 customers are without power due to high winds.
In addition to Agassiz-Harrison, significant outages have been reported in the Seabird Island area, impacting more than 900 customers. Other affected regions include Lake Errock, where 717 customers are without power, and Harrison Mills, which has seen 827 customers lose electricity. The Sts’sailes area is also experiencing outages, affecting 325 customers.
Extent of the Outages
Chilliwack has been hit hard, with at least 36 separate outages impacting over 8,200 customers. Wind gusts in the region have reached up to 90 km/h, with forecasts suggesting they could rise as high as 100 km/h in some areas. Many residents have reported that their houses have been shaking due to the violent winds.
A significant outage south of Vedder Mountain Road in Chilliwack has left 1,140 customers without power. Additionally, more than 1,100 customers in Cultus Lake reported power loss as of 9:16 p.m.
BC Hydro Response
BC Hydro has reported multiple outages in the affected communities and is actively working to restore power. The cause of the outages is currently under investigation, and residents are advised to secure loose objects and monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for restoration of power. As the situation develops, further updates are expected from BC Hydro and local authorities.
