British Columbia was hit with dramatic weather this Christmas, as strong winds and heavy rain caused significant disruptions throughout the region, particularly affecting thousands of residents who were left without power.
On Christmas Day, B.C. saw wind gusts reaching up to 160 km/h, especially along exposed sections of the coast. The severe conditions not only led to widespread power outages affecting over 8,000 customers at one point but also forced B.C. Ferries to cancel numerous sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
By early Boxing Day, around 6,200 B.C. Hydro customers remained without power as crews were unable to reach several areas to restore services due to ferry cancellations. This dire situation unfolded as approximately 100 mm of rainfall fell on parts of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, compounding the challenges for emergency teams.
According to B.C. Hydro, around 400 customers on Quadra, Cortes, and Denman islands faced power outages overnight. The remote nature of these communities — coupled with the storm's force — hampered efforts to repair downed power lines. "Crews are standing by and will attend once sailings resume," reported B.C. Hydro on December 25.
While some ferries resumed operations, several cancellations still remained. A huge line of cars was seen outside the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on Boxing Day, with many patrons left stranded as they tried to navigate the ferry system to reach mainland connections.
This significant windstorm is part of a series of storms battering the region, marking it as the third intense system to hit the South Coast within the week. Wind and rainfall warnings were still active for various coastal regions, and the weather is expected to stabilize only slightly.
Regions along the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) were warned about heavy snowfall, with expected accumulations nearing 30 cm on Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass.
Despite some relaxing of the storm intensity by midday Thursday, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant. They recommended people check local road conditions prior to travel and also rely on emergency resources to stay prepared for potential future weather disruptions.
The recent chaos reflects the increasing volatility of weather patterns affecting Canada’s west coast. Storm systems like the one experienced this Christmas Day showcase the urgency for community readiness and responsiveness to such extreme weather events.
With the holidays behind them, many residents now face the tricky task of cleanup and recovery, hoping for calmer weather and reliable power services during the rest of this festive season.
