100,000 without power due to B.C. wind storm

Roughly 100,000 BC Hydro customers were without power on Thursday afternoon as a storm batters the province’s south coast.

BC Hydro reported 67,000 power outages in the Lower Mainland, followed by 42,000 in the southern region of Vancouver Island, and 28,000 in northern Vancouver Island.

Environment Canada issued a number of weather warnings in those region earlier that day, calling for strong wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres per hour.

The agency warned high winds could damage roof shingles and windows, as well as toss around loose objects and broken tree branches.

#BCStorm cutting power for 100,000 homes, according to @bchydro
67,000 – Lower Mainland
42,000 – southern Vancouver Island
28,000 – northern Vancouver Island @BlackPressMedia

— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) December 20, 2018

Today’s #BCstorm is a little crazy in the @City_Abbotsford. This barn just went airborne. Watch out for flying debris. Stay inside if you can. @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/cLaEimL9LN

— Cst P Walker (@CstWalkerAPD) December 20, 2018

Decent waves here in Colwood at 7:30am. #BCStorm #storm6 ðŸŒ¬ðŸŒŠ pic.twitter.com/HkIksrO8gY

— Justin Hobson (@justinhobson85) December 20, 2018

BC Ferries has cancelled several sailings. The Tseshaht First Nation just outside Port Alberni on Vancouver Island has activated its Emergency Operations Centre because the high river levels are causing evacuations.

A big tree just fell down on my neighbors house. Luckily they are ok!!! #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/Bk3cbpHoER

— Pepper Shirley (@PepperCShirley) December 20, 2018

Winds SW 45-50 kt on the west side of Tsawwassen. Still an hour until high tide. Powers out. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/OMPlXmnVtX

— Pat Wong (@PatWong3) December 20, 2018

Snowfall warnings are also in effect for the Okanagan and into the Interior.

Upwards of 15 centimetres of snow is expected to fall on several major driving routes, including Highway 3 near Silmikameen, Highway 97 in the Cariboo, and Highway 1 between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass.