Thousands of B.C. Hydro customers were without power Wednesday as the first storm of the season hit Vancouver Island.
Almost 3,400 were without power as of 1:30, most on Pender and Saturna islands, according to B.C. Hydro.
Environment Canada warnings of heavy rain and high winds are in place for parts of Vancouver Island, including Greater Victoria.
Total rainfall over Wednesday and Thursday will generally range from 15 to 40 millimetres depending on the region, but the west coast of Vancouver Island can expect more than 100 mm in some areas.
Winds of 60 to 80 kilometres an hour are expected to hit the Island’s west coast tonight. Surrounding regions can expect winds to peak at 50 to 70 km/h early Wednesday as the storm moves eastward.
The alerts affect Greater Victoria, the southern Gulf Islands and western, eastern and inland Vancouver Island. Rainfall warnings are in effect for Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Valley.
