BC Hydro Outage Leaves 30,000 Without Power as Windstorm Hits Metro Vancouver

Strong winds knocked out power to 30,000 BC Hydro customers across Metro Vancouver on October 9, with gusts reaching 70 km/h near the Strait of Georgia. Trees and branches fell onto power lines, leaving Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, and Surrey hardest hit. The outage also disrupted ferry service ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend, with multiple sailings delayed or cancelled.

How the windstorm hit Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada forecast northwest winds gusting to 50 km/h across the Lower Mainland, with gusts up to 70 km/h near the Strait of Georgia. The storm arrived Friday afternoon and continued into the evening, with winds expected to drop to about 20 km/h around midnight. BC Hydro spokesperson Moira Scott said trees still had significant foliage, making them more susceptible to wind damage.

Which areas lost power and for how long

Burnaby was hardest hit with about 15,000 households affected, followed by Vancouver with 7,000, Port Coquitlam with 6,000, and Surrey with 4,000. As of 7 p.m. PT on October 9, about 17,000 customers were still without electricity. BC Hydro hoped to restore power to most customers by 8 p.m., though some outages persisted into Friday evening. A separate car accident in Richmond on October 8 had knocked out power to 4,164 customers earlier in the week.

Ferry delays and property damage

A power outage at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal delayed afternoon sailings, affecting the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. departures from Tsawwassen and the 7 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay. Sailings between Texada Island and Powell River were cancelled Friday afternoon due to high winds. Downed trees damaged vehicles across the city, including one crushing a car in Kitsilano and another in Douglas Park.

What BC Hydro recommends

BC Hydro spokesperson Moira Scott encouraged customers to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with water, food, batteries, and a portable charger. She noted that storm damage is unpredictable and customers should be ready for extended outages. The City of Vancouver also advised residents to store loose outdoor objects and address hazards like weakened trees or clogged drains.

Final Thoughts

The October 9 windstorm exposed Metro Vancouver’s vulnerability to seasonal weather. With 30,000 customers losing power and ferry service disrupted, the outage underscores the need for emergency preparedness heading into fall and winter.

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