A fall storm brought rain and high winds to much of Vancouver Island on Sunday, causing branches to fall on hydro lines and leaving thousands without power. (File photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

power problems

Drought-stricken branches break off during fall storm, causing power outages across Vancouver Island

Sep 25, 2023 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — Almost immediately after the sun set on the last day of summer, a fall storm brought some much-needed rain and less-needed wind to Vancouver Island.

BC Hydro’s Ted Olynyk said the transition to fall is a great chance to remind people of the fast-changing weather patterns and its potential repercussions.

“Certainly it’s a reminder, make sure you’re prepared, make sure you’ve got your kit, make sure you know what to do if your power goes out for any period of time.”

Olynyk said about 4,000 customers were without power for periods overnight Sunday and into Monday morning, mostly around the Denman and Hornby Islands, as well as Campbell River and in the Comox Valley.

On the mid-Island, only about a dozen customers were without power Monday afternoon in Ladysmith.

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A prolonged drought has put Island vegetation in a vulnerable state, as dehydrated tree limbs can easily break and fall due to the high winds fall storms can bring.

Olynyk said dry trees plus high winds mean branches falling on and coming into contact with hydro lines.

“The ground is hard, so it’s not absorbing all of the water and the wind on these weakened trees makes it a lot easier for them to come over, or the branches that are brittle makes them a lot easier to be taken off the trees and come in contact with our lines.”

He said the trees are accustomed to more moisture than we’ve seen in the past year, as Nanaimo continues to break records for hot and dry weather.

Rain in the forecast to round out the end of September is a welcomed site for the area, as Olynyk expressed concern about how fragile things like trees are.

“They’re weakened because they don’t have the continued moisture they’re used to on Vancouver Island, we’re not getting the typical Vancouver Island weather anymore, unfortunately.”

A wind warning for the region was lifted Monday afternoon shortly before 2 p.m. for much of the mid-Island.

— with files from Bill Nation, 97.3 The Eagle

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