Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for parts of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the southern Gulf Islands, as a low-pressure system brings strong gusts and unsettled weather to the region.
The agency says gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected in parts of Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, with conditions anticipated to last into Sunday morning. Environment Canada issues these warnings when there is a significant risk of damage from high winds, including power outages, fallen trees, and property damage.
In addition to high winds, snowfall is expected along sections of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt, as well as a mountainous stretch of Highway 3 in the B.C. Interior, raising concerns for drivers navigating these routes.
B.C. Hydro reported multiple power outages across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as trees toppled onto power lines. As of 1:15 p.m. PT on Saturday, more than 3,000 customers were without electricity in southeast Vancouver, including the Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhood, where crews were actively investigating the cause.
On Vancouver Island, Esquimalt experienced a separate outage caused by fallen trees, leaving over 1,800 customers without power as of Saturday afternoon. Utility crews have been deployed to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
The storm system has also prompted flooding warnings across coastal B.C., with heavy rains and high winds leading to canceled ferry sailings and swelling waterways. On northern Vancouver Island, near Port Hardy, police reported eight people were rescued after flash flooding trapped vehicles on a road blocked by floodwaters and debris in both directions.
Officials continue to urge residents to exercise caution, stay indoors during high winds, and avoid travel through affected areas until conditions improve.
Source: CBC
