BRITISH COLUMBIA, November 6, 2026 â Thousands of BC Hydro customers lost electricity across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on Friday as strong winds brought trees down onto power lines, sending repair crews to dozens of outages.
More than 19,000 customers were without power on northern Vancouver Island, while almost 3,000 were affected on the southern Island, according to a Friday report by My Comox Valley Now, citing BC Hydro. Crews were responding to nearly 50 outages in the North Island region.
On the Sunshine Coast, more than 2,000 customers were affected in Powell River, with another 2,000-plus without electricity in Pender Harbour. The figures reflect conditions reported during Fridayâs storm and may change as repairs progress or further outages develop.
Fallen trees cut power as windstorm hits B.C. coast
Most of the outages were caused by trees falling onto power lines, the local report said, citing BC Hydro.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warned of damaging winds along eastern Vancouver Island, from Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, and across the Sunshine Coast between Sechelt and Powell River. Southeasterly winds of 70 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h, were forecast as a low-pressure system moved onto the coast.
âDamaging winds are expected,â Environment Canada said in its Friday wind warning.
The warning indicated that winds would ease Friday afternoon, but another round of potentially impactful winds could develop late Saturday afternoon, November 7, raising the prospect of further disruption.
The storm also affected coastal travel. The Canadian Press reported weather-related ferry cancellations on routes connecting Campbell River with Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island with Cortes Island, and Denman Island with Hornby Island.
BC Hydro restoration updates and outage reporting
A single restoration deadline covering all affected communities could not be verified. Customers should check their individual outage entry on the BC Hydro outage list for crew status and an estimated restoration time where one has been posted. Times displayed by the utility are Pacific Time.
BC Hydro urged people to treat fallen or damaged power lines as live, even when they are not sparking or making noise.
âStay back 10 metres (the length of a bus) and report to 911,â the utility advises.
Customers whose outage is not listed can report it by calling 1-800-224-9376 or dialling *49376 from a mobile phone.
More British Columbia news: Investigation continues after a mother and daughter were found dead near Bella Coola.
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