Thousands without power in central and northern Island

More than 4,500 customers are without power this morning due to high winds and downed trees in the central and northern regions of Vancouver Island.

 

Hardest hit is Nanaimo, where 2,393 customers are without power after a tree crashed onto power lines in the 600 block of Wakesiah Avenue.

 

The city’s aquatic centre is closed for now because of the power cut.

 

A tree across the lines also knocked out power for 1,803 customers in Parksville.

 

A few hundred customers were without power in Qualicum Beach because of fallen electrical wires and a few dozen in Courtenay due to trees across wires.

 

Islanders have been filling sandbags and bracing for ongoing downpours. A social media post showed the impact in Ucluelet, where water in storm drains is bubbling onto the street.

 

Environment Canada posted a wind warning for east Vancouver Island from Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, forecasting winds of 70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h. Winds are expected to ease later this morning.

 

Mainroad, the highway maintenance contractor for the central Island, is urging drivers to slow down as the rain comes down, reducing visibility.

 

[email protected]