BC Hydro crews have been working around the clock to restore power in communities across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the lower mainland.
As of December 25th, 34,000 customers still experienced outages – down from the original 600,000 – after what the Crown corporation calls the “most devastating storms” in the past 20 years struck the region on Thursday.
The majority of Vancouver Island and Gulf Island communities can expect to have their power restored by Thursday, December 27th.
However, several Gulf Islands will remain in the dark until December 30th, with the last – Parker Island – scheduled to be reconnected on December 31st.
The large number of trees felled during the storm as well as the isolated location of some of the affected customers have posed significant challenges to BC Hydro crews.
According to an update on Tuesday, there are currently 800 crews working on the field to repair 1,100 spans of wire, 300 power poles, 550 cross-arms, and 170 transformers destroyed in the storm.
90 crews are working on #VancouverIsland today, continuing the restoration efforts and repairing damage for the 12,000 customers still without power on Vancouver Island and the Southern #GulfIslands. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/J22kHiqYQ8
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 25, 2018
Here are the estimated dates for complete restoration:
- Vancouver Island
- December 26th – Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, Errington/Coombs, Little Qualicum River, Whiskey Creek/Hilliers, Tofino/Ucluelet, Shawnigan Lake
- December 27th – Maple Bay/Genoa Bay, Sahtlam
- December 28th – Bamfield/Nitinat
- December 29th – West Bamfield
- Gulf Islands
- December 26th – Gabriola Island, Thetis Island
- December 27th – Penelakut Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island
- December 29th – Galiano Island, Saturna Island
- December 30th – Salt Spring Island
- December 31st – Parker Island
“I know any power outage is an inconvenience and can present challenges – and even more so at this time of year. On behalf of BC Hydro, I would like to thank our customers for their continued patience,” said Chris O’Riley, BC Hydro’s President and Chief Operating Officer.
“We are doing everything we can to get all of our customers back on and our crews will work around-the-clock until we have every last customer connected.”
Click here for up-to-date progress on power outages.
