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Heavy rainfall, flooding causing 'access challenges' for BC Hydro crews

Crews are working to restore power across the Lower Mainland and other parts of the province.
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BC Hydro says stormy, windy conditions in the Metro Vancouver weather forecast caused power outages across the Lower Mainland on Oct. 19, 2024.

Update: 8 p.m.

BC Hydro says Saturday's rainfall and localized flooding are causing "access challenges" for crews, who are unable to make repairs to restore power to customers in some areas.

"This includes 36 customers on Cedar Drive, Oliver Road, Gilley's Trail, and into Minnekhada Park in Coquitlam, where crews cannot access the area until the road is repaired," the Crown corporation said in an update posted to its website Saturday evening.

"Additionally, 22 customers on Quarry Road in Pitt Meadows will also be without power until a landslide is cleared and crews can safely access the area," said BC Hydro.


Original: 3:47 p.m.

A powerful wind and rainstorm have left thousands of Metro Vancouverites in the dark. 

An atmospheric river brought torrential rainfall and powerful wind to the Lower Mainland on Saturday, Oct. 19, resulting in power outages in several cities. 

BC Hydro says 33 outages have affected 2,932 customers in the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast. 

One of the larger outages is affecting 1,324 customers in Surrey and Langley. Crew are currently on site and the cause of the outage is under investigation. 

Another large outage affected 2,658 customers in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. However, power has been restored in the area. 

Power outage in Vancouver 

In the City of Vancouver, a tree down across a wire is affecting 150 customers in the area west of Continental Street, north of Granville Street, and east of south of Pacific Street. 

Power has been off in the downtown area since 9:40 a.m. and crews were arriving around 3 p.m. 

While many outages are under investigation, BC Hydro reports that a current one in West Vancouver was caused by flooding in the 500-block of 18th Street and the 1700-block of Marine Drive. 

Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning on Friday, calling for up to 150 mm of rainfall through Saturday and Sunday morning. Flooding has resulted in numerous street closures across the region. 

The Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes milder conditions on Sunday, with the rain expected to ease in the afternoon.

To report a power outage, call 1 800 BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376) or *HYDRO (*49376) on your mobile or report it online.

Check the BC Hydro power outage map for more updates.


Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.