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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
B.C. Hydro Reports Significant Progress Following Major Storm Outages
B.C. Hydro has announced substantial progress in restoring electricity following severe storms that left a large number of residents without power across British Columbia over the weekend.
Power Restoration Efforts Ongoing
As of 5 p.m. PCT on Sunday, the utility stated that the number of customers without power had fallen from approximately 135,000 overnight Saturday to about 30,000. Of those still affected, more than 8,000 are located in the Central Interior region. B.C. Hydro crews have been dispatched to tackle the damage, focusing especially on areas where outages remain widespread.
Challenges Due to Terrain and Extensive Storm Damage
B.C. Hydro explained that ongoing weather conditions, damaged infrastructure, downed trees, and soft terrain have made repairs particularly challenging, especially in remote and rural areas of the province. In a statement, the utility noted, "Given the extent of the damage, many customers in Prince George should expect to be without power for at least another night."
Extended Outages in Hardest-Hit Areas
Customers living in the hardest-hit locations north and east of Prince George are not expected to see their power restored until late Tuesday evening at the earliest. The utility emphasized that parts of the Central Interior present the greatest difficulties for crews, who are currently dealing with widespread infrastructure damage.
Details of Infrastructure Damage
Repair teams are working to restore approximately 200 spans of downed wire in the affected areas, as well as addressing numerous broken poles, damaged crossarms, and other electrical equipment requiring repair or replacement. B.C. Hydro said these complex repairs will take additional time to complete.
Utility Crews Redeployed and Public Safety Advisory
B.C. Hydro has brought in extra crews and resources, successfully restoring power to larger groups of customers through transmission repairs and system switching. As repairs progress elsewhere, resources are being shifted toward the most challenging areas. Whitney Deane, spokesperson for the utility, stated, "We're now working through some of the most difficult repairs. Some customers will be without power for at least another night and potentially longer."
The utility also continues to monitor approaching weather systems that could affect ongoing repairs. B.C. Hydro urges the public to stay at least 10 metres away from downed tower lines, to assume all downed lines are energized and dangerous, and to immediately contact emergency services at 9-1-1 if they observe downed lines.
Source: cbc.ca.
