BC Hydro crews are on standby and ready to deploy as needed to repair power outages which may result from a strong windstorm due to hit Tuesday night. (BC Hydro)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

be prepared

‘We prepare for these events:’ Hydro crews on standby as windstorm hits Vancouver Island

Nov 19, 2024 | 11:46 AM

NANAIMO — BC Hydro says they have a full complement of crew ready to respond however they’re needed over the next 24 hours.

A strong system from the Pacific, dubbed a ‘bomb cyclone’ due to its quickly dropping pressure, is poised to make landfall throughout Tuesday, Nov. 19 and continue with rain and blustery winds overnight into Wednesday.

Ted Olynyk with the utility said they’ve been watching the system brewing in the Pacific and have already made preparations to respond accordingly.

“We’ll make sure all crews, contract crews, vegetation staff are ready and aware that they may be called in at any time. Depending on when we anticipate the storm to hit, we may send crews home early so we can bring them back later on so they can work throughout the night, work longer hours.”

Wind gusts are expected to peak around 70 kilometres per hour in the Nanaimo region, with slightly higher speeds forecast in Oceanside.

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More exposed areas like the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C.’s central and north coast and parts of the Lower Mainland can expect gusts over 100 kilometres per hour.

The winds will likely result in some ferry cancellations between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, in addition to causing some localized power outages due to fallen branches or downed lines.

“As always we prepare for these events and at the end of the day it’s always up to Mother Nature,” Olynyk said. “We respond to the weather she delivers and we’ll go out there and make the repairs as required, whether that’s 100 customers or 10,000 customers.”

A similar storm which hit a week ago had some minor impacts on the region.

Wind gusts topped 77 kilometres per hour at Entrance Island on Tuesday, Nov. 12, however power outages were largely limited to one affecting about 2,300 customers on Gabriola Island, which was fixed by mid-Wednesday morning.

The northern and southern tips of Vancouver Island, along with Powell River, Tofino and Tsawwassen all saw considerably stronger wind gusts.

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