VANCOUVER — BC Hydro says it's working to restore power to around 160,000 customers on the West Coast as high winds batter the province.
Environment Canada warned Saturday morning that the Metro Vancouver area could be hit with 70-kilometre-per-hour winds and gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour as a low-pressure system moves in.
Bowen Island, Lions Bay, West Vancouver to Boundary Bay, and Saturna Island are expected to see winds gusting up to 90 kilometers per hour this afternoon before easing in the early evening, it forecast.
Environment Canada has also issued a coastal flooding warning for the Greater Victoria coastline and Vancouver Island coastline, including areas from Cordova Bay to East Sooke.
The wind event might cause damage to buildings, especially to roof shingles and windows, it said.
Already more than 148,000 customers are without power in the Lower Mainland and on the Sunshine Coast as of 11:30 a.m., said BC Hydro, after high winds led to downed lines, fallen trees and power outrages.
BC Hydro said the hardest hit area is Surrey with nearly 75,000 customers without power as of late morning.
A further 12,000 customers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands have also lost power, it said.
The utility said that after a multi-year drought, vegetation has been weakened across the province, making it more susceptible to wind.
BC Hydro said crews are working to restore power as soon as possible.
The high winds also led BC Ferries to cancel multiple sailings due to high winds in the Strait of Georgia, affecting sailings travelling between Vancouver and Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo.
Environment Canada is also warning of a storm surge on B.C's south coast that could reach a metre high.
It says a deep low-pressure system is expected to make landfall over northern Vancouver Island on Saturday, which can develop strong southeast winds across Haro Strait.
Minor coastal flooding is possible along exposed shorelines, especially in low-lying areas, and residents should be prepared for higher-than-usual water levels accompanied by waves or stronger currents.
It said coastal areas of Metro Vancouver and the entire western side of Vancouver Island are vulnerable to the surge.
The town of Sidney, B.C., located just north of Victoria, issued a storm alert Saturday, warning residents to stay away from certain areas due to storm surges and high tide.
Elevated ocean water levels along with significant wind and waves are expected, which the forecaster says will likely exceed the highest tide.
It warns that coastal flooding due to large waves will coincide with that high tide.
In Metro Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond and Delta are all vulnerable to the surge with flooding likely near the coastline and nearby low-lying areas.
It said the threat comes with high tides on Saturday from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2024.
Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
