Snowstorm knocks out power to 30,000 in B.C.'s southern Interior
Credit to Author: Scott Brown| Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2019 22:06:21 +0000
B.C. Hydro says a snowstorm cut power to 30,000 customers in the province’s southern Interior Tuesday morning.
The hardest hit areas included Clearwater, Quesnel and rural areas just outside of Kamloops, Vernon and Salmon Arm where heavy snow caused branches and trees to crash into power lines.
As of 1:30 p.m., B.C. Hydro crews and contractor crews were able to restore power to around 10,000 customers.
“All B.C. Hydro crews and available contractor crews in the region have been called to work to repair damaged equipment, including power lines, power poles and transformers. However, poor road conditions in rural areas are causing some delays in response,” B.C. Hydro said in a release.
Due to the extent of damage in some areas, B.C. Hydro is advising some customers to be prepared to be without power overnight.
BC Hydro is receiving reports of downed power lines. A downed power line is considered an emergency situation and members of the public should stay at least 10 metres back and call 911 immediately.
Updated estimates for power restoration are posted as they become available at bchydro.com/outages.
A snowfall warning is in effect for much of the southern Interior with some areas expecting as much as 30-40 cm of snow by this evening.
We definitely got the higher end of accumulations everywhere, with more on the way. Valleys may see some rain this evening and minimal snow for higher elevations through the night. Watch for equipment out in full force clearing this snow, to get ready for more. Check @DriveBC pic.twitter.com/d8hDmRup2I