Thousands of Vancouver Island residents remain without power as a series of storms continues to batter the region. BC Hydro said crews are working to restore power to customers in the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Qualicum Beach and Port Hardy.
The utility said crews have restored power to most of its customers on the Sunshine Coast. BC Hydro reminded the public to stay at least 10 metres away from any downed power lines and to call 911 to report them.
A state of local emergency remains in effect in the Village of Zeballos because of flooding and landslide risk. The Strathcona Regional District said 22 properties in the village are under an evacuation order, and three more are on evacuation alert.
BC Ferries said in a travel advisory that several sailings on the Strait of Georgia have been cancelled, and more could be cancelled on Sunday. Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, forecasting strong southeasterly winds of 70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h through Saturday evening, easing by Sunday morning.
The wind warning covers the same stretch of coast where the power outages are concentrated, so the restoration work is taking place while gusts are still forecast. The Environment Canada forecast indicates that conditions are expected to ease by Sunday morning, which BC Hydro crews will need to work through over the weekend.
The flooding and landslide risk in Zeballos is the more serious local concern, because the evacuation order covers 22 properties and the alert adds three more. Residents in the affected areas are being asked to follow the instructions of local authorities as the emergency remains in effect.
Travellers relying on the ferry system face disruption on the Strait of Georgia, where several sailings have already been cancelled. BC Ferries has indicated that further cancellations are possible on Sunday, so people with travel plans are being advised to check its service updates before leaving.