Just over 500 FortisBC customers remain without power following a ferocious windstorm that ripped through the Kootenays and South Okanagan on Wednesday morning.
The company says at the peak of the outages, about 26,000 customers were affected. Line crews have been working to restore electricity ever since.
“We’ll be working throughout the day to repair damage and restore power as safely and as quickly as they can,” the company’s Holly Harrison said at noon today.
She added intermittent outages could still occur as crews continue their work. Areas with the most extensive damage are in the Boundary as well as Rossland and Fruitvale.
About 30 crews in the West Kootenay have been receiving help from colleagues in Kelowna and Penticton, as well as sister company Fortis Alberta.
“Crews have been really working around the clock, making sure they’re supported, making sure customers are safe,” Harrison said. “So it’s been a really big team effort.”
Harrison said crews have had to deal with many fallen trees just to access certain areas.
She expects the majority of customers who are still without power will have service restored this afternoon and evening, but cautioned a few might still be out for another night in the areas with the most extensive damage. She said they are communicating with those customers directly so they can be prepared.
If you see downed power lines or poles, you’re asked not to try clearing it yourself, but to call FortisBC’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-866-436-7847. Fortis also has a real-time outage map here.
The photos below are courtesy of FortisBC.
