Thousands of British Columbia residents are facing continued power disruptions after powerful winds and heavy rainfall swept across the province, with further storms threatening additional outages. About 40,000 BC Hydro customers were still without electricity on Saturday morning, November 7, after outages peaked at approximately 80,000 during Friday's storm. With another round of damaging winds and several major rain systems forecast, communities across Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver and the Interior are preparing for more disruption.
What Is Happening
British Columbia is experiencing a prolonged period of unsettled weather, with strong winds, heavy rainfall and rising waterways creating problems for electricity customers and transportation services.
Friday's storm brought widespread damage. More than 80,000 BC Hydro customers lost power at the height of the weather event. Fallen trees and branches damaged electrical infrastructure, while crews faced repeated interruptions as fresh outages developed in areas where restoration work was already underway.
By Saturday morning, approximately 40,000 customers remained without electricity. Vancouver Island accounted for around 13,000 of those outages north of Nanaimo, according to the Times Colonist. The utility has warned that another wave of strong winds could create further interruptions before existing restoration work is complete.
Whitney Deane, a BC Hydro spokesperson, described how the Friday storm created a difficult restoration process:
What we really saw [Friday] was the storm coming in waves
The combination of ongoing outages and additional weather systems means electricity restoration is taking place alongside preparations for another round of potential damage.
Where and When
The strongest wind warnings cover much of British Columbia's South Coast, including Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Canyon.
Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast southeasterly winds reaching 70 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h on Saturday afternoon. The winds were expected to weaken towards midnight, although warnings indicated that conditions could continue affecting communities into Sunday morning.
The storm threat extends beyond the coastal region. Areas of the Interior, including communities between Hope and Burns Lake, were under special weather statements, with wind gusts reaching 60 to 80 km/h. Another cold front was expected to bring stronger winds to parts of the Interior on Sunday afternoon.
Rainfall is adding another layer of risk. Parts of Vancouver Island have received up to 210 millimetres of rain since Thursday. The heaviest additional rainfall is expected around northwestern Vancouver Island, the Sea-to-Sky region, Howe Sound and the North Shore mountains.
Forecasters are also tracking another weather system expected on Monday, potentially bringing up to 200 millimetres of rain to exposed areas. The sequence of systems could keep wet conditions affecting parts of the B.C. coast through the following week.
For the latest reporting on the wind warnings and ferry disruptions, see CBC's South Coast storm coverage.
Expected Impacts
Electricity supply remains the immediate concern for tens of thousands of households. Additional falling trees and branches could damage power lines, prolong restoration work and create new outages even as crews reconnect existing customers.
The effects extend into everyday activities and local businesses. On Vancouver Island, Comox Valley resident Kayla Hoskins told the Times Colonist that her household had been without electricity for nearly 24 hours. The outage also disrupted her landscaping business, which depends on internet access for payments, invoicing and scheduling.
Her family's electric-powered well pump stopped supplying water to their taps, illustrating how a power outage can affect essential household services beyond lighting and heating.
Transportation is also being affected. BC Ferries cancelled several sailings, including Saturday evening departures between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, with additional services at risk because of high winds and waves. Fallen trees also forced the closure of Highway 19A north of Qualicum Beach, between Dunsmuir and Bowser, while another tree blocked Piercy Road west of Courtenay.
Flooding and slope instability are particularly serious on Vancouver Island. In Zeballos, an evacuation order covers 22 properties on Pandora Crescent and Maquinna Avenue, while three properties on Ferris Road remain under an evacuation alert. The village declared a state of local emergency after flooding and landslide debris affected the area.
High streamflow advisories cover much of Vancouver Island and parts of the South and Central coasts. Rising waterways and high tides could also cause minor flooding along exposed, low-lying shorelines.
Official Advice
BC Hydro is urging customers to prepare for further power interruptions. Whitney Deane advised residents to have a 72-hour emergency kit containing essential supplies, including batteries and flashlights.
Residents should also follow Environment and Climate Change Canada's active weather warnings. Strong winds can bring down trees, damage fences and roofs, and send branches or other debris flying.
- Keep batteries and flashlights available in case electricity is interrupted.
- Prepare supplies that can support household needs during a 72-hour outage.
- Check BC Hydro outage information for restoration updates and changing conditions.
- Check BC Ferries' current conditions before travelling to a terminal, as additional cancellations are possible.
- Stay away from rivers, creeks and culverts during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
- Follow evacuation orders immediately. Anyone within Zeballos' evacuation order area must leave because authorities have identified a potential risk to life and safety.
Residents in areas affected by previous wildfires should also pay attention to flooding and landslide warnings, as damaged slopes and fallen trees can create additional hazards during heavy rain and strong winds.
What Forecasters Are Watching
The next several days will determine how extensively the storm sequence affects British Columbia's electricity network and coastal communities. Weather authorities are monitoring the arrival of another rainfall system late Saturday, continuing into Sunday, followed by a further system expected on Monday.
The amount of rainfall in exposed areas of Vancouver Island is a particular concern. Environment Canada's forecast, reported by The Globe and Mail, indicated that some locations could receive approximately 100 millimetres during the Saturday-to-Sunday system, followed by as much as 200 millimetres from the system expected Monday.
Meanwhile, BC Hydro is preparing for additional wind-related damage while restoration crews continue working through existing outages. The utility has warned that some incoming winds could be more impactful than those experienced so far.
In Zeballos, authorities are continuing monitoring and geotechnical assessment to determine whether further landslides are possible. The findings will help establish the extent of the remaining danger to evacuated properties.
The main uncertainties are how much additional rain will reach exposed coastal areas, whether the incoming winds will create further widespread electricity interruptions, and how quickly damaged infrastructure can be restored. For residents, the combination of power restoration, travel disruption and flood preparedness will remain central concerns throughout the coming weather systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are without power in British Columbia?
Approximately 40,000 BC Hydro customers were still without electricity on Saturday morning, November 7, 2026. Outages had peaked at around 80,000 during Friday's storm.
Why are there so many power outages in B.C.?
Strong winds have brought down trees and branches, damaging power lines and electrical infrastructure. Repeated waves of wind have also created new outages while crews work to restore electricity.
Which areas of British Columbia are most affected?
Vancouver Island, including areas north of Nanaimo, has experienced substantial outages. Metro Vancouver, the Southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and parts of the Interior are also facing strong wind warnings and storm-related disruptions.
Will more power outages happen in B.C.?
Yes. BC Hydro has warned that additional outages are possible as more weather systems approach. Strong winds, including forecast gusts of up to 90 km/h along parts of the South Coast, could cause further damage.
How can B.C. residents prepare for a power outage?
BC Hydro recommends preparing a 72-hour emergency kit with batteries, flashlights and essential supplies. Residents should monitor outage updates, follow local weather warnings and check ferry conditions before travelling.