Thousands of people were left without power on Vancouver Island on Saturday morning after a powerful overnight windstorm, but B.C. Hydro crews had the lights back on for all but a handful of the utility’s customers by Saturday night.
High winds in the capital region and the Southern Gulf Islands abated by afternoon but a rainfall warning for east Vancouver Island from Courtenay to Campbell River remained in effect.
As of 10 a.m.Saturday there were 31 outages affecting about 3,500 customers on the Island, with the heaviest pockets in Colwood and Port Alberni.
On eastern Vancouver Island, a low pressure system continued Saturday, with a forecasted mix of heavy rain, up to 30 mm in total, and snow up to five centimetres.
Drive B.C. reported Highway 28 traffic was restricted Saturday for about five kilometres between Elk River Mainline and Forbes Landing near Campbell River due to downed power lines. It was open to single-lane alternating traffic in the evening. — Times Colonist
