Tuesday November 19, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 10:10 pm | Updated on Nov 20 at 3 am]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Several provincial highways on Vancouver Island are closed due to downed power lines, debris and fallen trees during tonight’s windstorm (being called a “bomb cyclone” by weather experts — it’s a sudden drop in pressure over 24 hours).
Drivers are advised to avoid travel for the remainder of tonight, Tuesday November 19, and into the morning of Wednesday November 20, says the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in a news release at 8:23 pm this evening.
Highways closed include:
- Highway 4 from Highway 4A (Errington) to Port Alberni, and from Port Alberni to Tofino/Ucluelet junction
- Highway 14 west of Sooke
- Highway 18 at Hillcrest
- Highway 28 from Gold River to Campbell River
- Pacific Marine Circle Route
Expect additional closures:
Drivers can expect additional closures as the storm moves through. Environment Canada warns that strong southeasterly winds will continue throughout the night and into Wednesday morning but should ease late in the day on Wednesday.
Priority in power outage areas:
As soon as its safe to do so, maintenance contractors will begin clearing debris, and BC Hydro is prioritizing repairs to the many power outages across the island.
SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND:
Check the BC HYDRO OUTAGE LIST.
- As of 5:05 pm this evening, there are 3,418 BC Hydro customers (residential and commercial) without power on South Vancouver Island (mostly in Duncan, Metchosin, Sooke and west of Sooke).
- By 10:19 pm that list for South Vancouver Island showed 54,676 BC Hydro customers without power. That includes Colwood and Langford on the west shore of Greater Victoria, and areas of the peninsula includes Central Saanich and North Saanich. Lots of customers without power in Metchosin, Duncan area, and on the Gulf Islands.
- At 10:49 pm the number of BC customers without power on South Vancouver Island was down to 51,917.
- At 2:59 am on Nov 20 there were 39,272 BC Hydro customers without power.
NORTH VANCOUVER ISLAND:
There are 79,355 customers without power on North Vancouver Island, as of 10:49 pm.
That number was reduced to 66,783 by 2:59 am as crewswork hard on power restoration.
Wind warning came earlier today:
In a mid-Tuesday news release, people were encouraged to prepare for strong winds tonight in the coastal regions of British Columbia, as well as in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and parts of the Interior.
Preparation for power outages was advised.
BC Ferries cancelled some of its evening ferries on November 19 and may cancel others on Wednesday morning November 20, pending conditions.
Driving safety:
Crashes can be prevented when motorists are prepared. Some helpful tips for travelling in wet weather and winter driving conditions. check DRIVE BC for highway advisories.
===== RELATED:
Coastal windstorm warning for Nov 19 evening (November 19, 2024)
NEWS SECTIONS: VANCOUVER ISLAND
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
- Flood-risk information and active evacuation alerts and orders can be found at @EmergencyInfoBC on X (formerly Twitter), or: https://www.EmergencyInfoBC.ca
- River Forecast Centre: https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/
- Environment and Climate Change Canada for up-to-date forecasts and alerts: http://www.weather.gc.ca (https://www.weather.gc.ca)
- PreparedBC Flood Preparedness Guide: https://www.preparedbc.ca/floods
- For tips about how to create an evacuation plan and prepare grab-and-go bags, visit: https://preparedbc.ca/EmergencyReady
- To pre-register with Emergency Support Services, visit: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/
- Windstorms can affect travel time and flood waters can quickly wash out roads and bridges. Be prepared and plan an alternative route. For the latest road conditions, visit: https://www.drivebc.ca