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UPDATE: 10,000 BC Hydro customers without power as strong winds hit south coast

Powerful wind gusts overnight reached up to 90 kilometres-per-hour in some pockets of the region
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BC Hydro personnell have been deployed across B.C.’s south coast to restore power after strong overnight winds slammed the region. (BC Hydro/Instagram)

Thousands of people across B.C.’s south coast were still without power Sunday after strong winds rocked the region over the weekend.

BC Hydro is reporting that more than 10,000 customers are in the dark in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and surrounding Gulf Islands, due to downed lines and fallen trees.

READ MORE: Much of B.C. seeing snow, -40 C wind chills

READ MORE: Do you control the thermostat based on comfort or saving money?

The power utility said in a statement on social media that crews will be working throughout the day to get the power back onto those impacted.

If anyone sees downed power lines they are urged to stay back at least 10 metres and dial 911.

BC Ferries has cancelled multiple sailings, including every sailing to-and-from the Horseshoe Bay terminal. Video posted tosocial media shows a nearby marina taking a beating from choppy waters, causing extensive damage to the dock.

READ MORE: Ferry terminal closed due to choopy waters

Flights have been cancelled out of Abbotsford and Victoria. It appears at this time that no flights have been cancelled due tothe winds from Vancouver International Airport.

On Friday, up to 10 centimetres of snow fell across southern and eastern Vancouver Island. The national weather agency saysthat Arctic air will bring temperatures as low as -20 C overnight in the Fraser Valley.


@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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