AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 11, 2026
Prolonged Power Outages Hit British Columbia
Parts of British Columbia are facing extended periods without electricity as a persistent fall storm continues to batter the province. B.C. Hydro has cautioned that restoring power could take several days in some hard-hit areas, following a series of storms that have disrupted communities since late last week.
Storm Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
Since Friday, more than 400,000 B.C. Hydro customers were left without power, with many outages stretching from the start of the weekend through Monday. Some residents remain in the dark as of Wednesday, with repairs hampered by ongoing severe weather and difficult conditions on the ground.
Heavy Rainfall and Flood Watches Across the Region
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has maintained several rainfall and wind warnings throughout the province. Parts of western and inland Vancouver Island are expected to receive more than 250 millimetres of rain, while rainfall rates could reach up to 20 millimetres per hour at times. Flood watches remain in place throughout southwest B.C., as authorities warn of pooling water and debris following the storm’s Tuesday landfall.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre also issued a High Streamflow Advisory for the Fraser Valley, including areas around Chilliwack, Hope, the Fraser Canyon, and Chilcotin. Residents are advised to avoid fast-flowing waters and unstable riverbanks during this period.
Challenging Repair Conditions for Crews
According to B.C. Hydro, extensive repairs are required in impacted areas, with access complicated by fallen trees, debris, and soft ground. The remote village of Zeballos on northwest Vancouver Island, still under an evacuation order after a landslide last week, is particularly affected. Restoring power there requires specialized equipment and helicopter transport, with weather potentially delaying access to the site until Thursday at the earliest.
Transportation Warnings and Road Closures
Weather warnings from ECCC span Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, the Sunshine Coast, central Interior, Prince George, Metro Vancouver, and the Fraser Canyon. Key areas of concern include the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, and Vancouver Island’s Malahat area and western coast communities. Up to 160 millimetres of rain could fall on the Sea-to-Sky Highway by Thursday morning, prompting warnings of possible impassable roads and localized flooding.
B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation has issued a traffic advisory for the South Coast region, including the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Fraser Valley. The advisory urges drivers to prepare for strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the possibility of flooding. Motorists are instructed never to drive across flooded roads or river crossings and to consult DriveBC for updates before travelling.
Emergency Advisories Urge Residents’ Caution
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of preparedness as storm impacts persist. Residents are encouraged to heed rainfall warnings, power outage notifications, and highway closures. Emergency advisories advise everyone to stay away from fast-moving water and to be ready for rapidly changing conditions as the storm continues to move across the province.
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Source: cbc.ca.
