By Alex Rawnsley

Winter storm

Massive power outage knocks lights out for over 40,000 homes in Nanaimo & Oceanside

Nov 4, 2022 | 8:59 PM

NANAIMO — A strong wind storm has knocked out power to a considerable portion of the region.

Lights went dark shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 as a result of strong winds from a storm system moving through the area.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for the central Island.

“In the wake of a Pacific frontal system, strong northwesterly winds of 70 gusting to 90 km/h are developing this evening. Thunderstorms are also possible,” the warning read. “The winds are expected to ease overnight.”

BC Hydro reported several outages in the central Island region including over 27,000 customers through more than 35 separate outages in Nanaimo, 7,300 properties in Parksville and 4,500 more in Qualicum Beach plus thousands of others in rural areas.

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No updates were available as to resumption of service on most calls as of 10 p.m. Friday night and many didn’t even have crews assigned to them as a result of the volume of incidents.

A map of power outages in the Nanaimo are late Friday evening at the height of a wind storm. (BC Hydro)

Some traffic lights are also reported out, with drivers defaulting to four way stop procedures in some instances.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were also called to nearly a dozen separate reports of hydro lines down in Nanaimo. Rural fire departments were also hounded with requests for help as a result of the storm.

Power also went out at a Frank Crane Arena before an already delayed game between the Clippers and Cranbrook Bucks. The game was eventually cancelled as a result.

BC Ferries travel was also disrupted with vessels holding in dock or sailings outright cancelled.

Passengers on board a sailing from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island remained just off dock in Descanso Bay for an extended period of time until a BC Ferries crew member scaled the ramp to get onto shore and restore backup power, allowing the vessel to dock.

Visit the BC Hydro website for the latest on restoration of power.

Fans awaiting the start of an already delayed Nanaimo Clippers game at Frank Crane Arena huddle together in the dark. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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