More than 5,000 homes are without power in Maple Ridge after a wind storm blasted through the region Monday morning.
As of noon on Nov. 4, 4,661 homes lost power in an area north of 88th Avenue in the north end of Langley, and then east of 108 Avenue, south of Hilland Avenue, and west of 276 Street, in Maple Ridge. The power went out at about 10 a.m. and is still being investigated.
Power went out just after 10 a.m. for 493 residents west of 238 Street, east of 234A Street, north of Kanaka Way, and south of 116 Avenue. This outage is still under investigation as BC Hydro crews have yet to arrive on scene.
However, the wind storm is to blame for 252 homes that lost power south of Road A , east of Fern Crescent, north of Alouette Road, and west of 130 Avenue.
And the 13 homes in the 21600 and 21700 block of 117 Avenue whose power went down at around 11:39 a.m. was also blamed on the wind storm.
A wind warning alert was issued by Environment Canada for Metro Vancouver and northeast including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
Very strong northwest winds gusting up to 100 km/h that have the potential to cause damage are expected to last until this evening, read the alert.
"A vigorous frontal system moving across the south coast today will produce strong winds and heavy rain. Behind the cold front, strong northwest winds have developed across the Strait of Georgia and will blow across Metro Vancouver today," explained the government weather agency.
"Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches. Motorists, especially in high profile vehicles, may expect hazardous driving conditions on highways subject to strong cross winds."
The City of Pitt Meadows issued a warning to residents to look for downed power lines and keep a safe distance, stay calm during an outage, help clear the storm drains of leaves and debris and to report issues to the city.
Many schools in the district also lost power including: Alexander Robinson Elementary, Albion Elementary, c̓əsqənelə Elementary, Kanaka Creek Elementary, and Samuel Robertson Technical.
However SD42 noted, schools remained in session for students and instruction continued during the storm.
A notice on the BC Hydro website advises that crews are continuing their work to repair damage and restore power to customers impacted by the windstorm. "Due to the amount of damage, outages are being addressed in order of priority," said the electrical company, noting their first priority is outages involving downed lines and situations posing a risk to public safety. After that, crews will focus on restoring power to critical and municipal services, followed by large outages affecting the highest number of customers, and then to smaller outages.
"Remember if you come across a downed or damaged power line to stay back at least 10 metres and report it to 9-1-1. We'll continue to provide estimated restoration times for individual outages as they're available," said BC Hydro.
Customers on Gambier Island, Keats Island, Texada Island, and Bowen Island are being warned to prepare for the possibility of being without power overnight.
Less than five households in the 20400 block of Powell Avenue lost power during the wind storm as well, but the power there has since been restored.
