Reports of downed trees causing power outages are coming in from across coastal B.C. Wednesday morning. Photo from Nanoose Bay. (Submitted)

By Ian Holmes

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‘It’s a significant event:’ Multi-day power outages expected in Nanaimo and across mid-Island

Nov 20, 2024 | 11:10 AM

NANAIMO — Power outages are expected to persist this week as BC Hydro learns more about a punishing windstorm inflicting widespread damage across coastal B.C.

Ted Olynyk, BC Hydro’s manager of community relations for Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, said there are an unknown number of downed trees on lines and broken poles presenting significant issues for crews.

“This is one of the most significant storm events I’ve seen on the Island in the last 25 years. It’s devastating in some areas with regards to the damage. The closer you are to the water the more damage we’re seeing.”

On Wednesday, Nov 20 at 10:40 a.m., more than 19,000 BC Hydro customers in Nanaimo were without power, along with about 2,300 in the Gabriola/Mudge Island areas.

Downed trees and branches are causing issues for Nanaimo residents Wednesday morning, like this downed wire and tree branch hanging from a power line on Wellington Rd. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Around 6,500 customers in the Oceanside region are also without power.

Olynyk said the sheer amount of damage means this won’t be a quick fix for some people on the mid-Island.

“It’s a significant event and more than likely it will be a multi-day outage event for some customers unfortunately.”

Reports of downed power lines are rampant throughout the mid Island area, with Winchester Ave. in Nanaimo’s Harewood neighbourhood impacted. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In advance of the storm, BC Hydro brought in extra crews from Vancouver on Tuesday, with Olynyk stating more of the employees, as well as contractors, are planned to be brought in from the Lower Mainland on Wednesday.

“For us, we’re going to work and try to bring as many customers as we can at one time — restoring transmission, restoring large feeder routes, then working our way down to the smaller amount.”

Olynyk emphasized the importance of staying back at least 10 meters from downed power lines, saying such lines could still be energized.

Heavy winds combined with slanted rain pounded many parts of Vancouver Island late Tuesday afternoon and overnight.

Environment Canada reported wind speeds peaked at 104 kilometres per hour at Entrance Island.

More photos of the impact the bomb cyclone had on the Nanoose Bay area. (Submitted)

Downed trees are causing issues for homeowners and at City of Nanaimo Parks, including Linely Valley Cottle Lake Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Several schools were closed in Nanaimo for Tuesday, while all schools in the Ladysmith area were shuttered due to power outages.

The City of Nanaimo is urging people to avoid all treed parks today as well to allow City staff to assess the area for safety concerns.

The Regional District of Nanaimo has also announced four parks are closed today, including Moorecroft, Englishman River, Benson Creek Falls, and Mt. Benson Regional Parks.

Highway four between Whiskey Creek and Port Alberni remains closed due to high winds.

As of 10:40 a.m., Wednesday BC Ferries resumed sailings at all Nanaimo area terminals.

Environment Canada expects southeast winds to diminish to 40 to 60 kilometres an hour Wednesday morning, and then further fade to around 20 kilometres an hour by late in the evening.

The last storm in the magnitude of the one to strike the mid-Island Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning occurred in December 2018, leading to widespread damage and extended power outages.

Editors note: BC Hydro’s Ted Olynyk reported late Wednesday afternoon that roughly 66,000 of its customers on Vancouver Island (12,000 in Nanaimo) were still without power.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes