Massive power outage caused by heavy ‘wind storm’ hits over 40,000 homes in Nanaimo & Oceanside after

Power has been out to a major chunk of the area due to a violent windstorm.

Strong gusts from a storm system passing across the area on Friday, Nov. 4 caused the lights to go out shortly after 8:30 p.m.

For the center of the Island, Environment Canada has issued a wind advisory.

Strong northwesterly winds of 70 km/h with gusts up to 90 km/h are developing this evening in the wake of a Pacific frontal system. There is a chance of thunderstorms as well,” the alert stated. The winds should subside over night.

More than 27,000 customers were affected by more than 35 distinct outages in Nanaimo, 7,300 homes were affected in Parksville, 4,500 more in Qualicum Beach, and thousands more were affected in rural regions, according to BC Hydro, who also reported many outages in the central Island region.

Nearly a dozen other instances of downed electricity lines in Nanaimo also required the assistance of Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews. The storm also bombarded rural fire units with demands for assistance.

Before an already postponed game between the Clippers and Cranbrook Bucks, power went out at a Frank Crane Arena as well. As a result, the game was ultimately called off.

Travel on BC Ferries was also hampered, with ships being in port or sailings being completely postponed.

In Descanso Bay, passengers on a ferry from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island spent a considerable amount of time just off dock before a BC Ferries staff member ascended the ramp to go onto land and restore backup power, allowing the vessel to dock.

Read Also: Twitter Layoffs – Elon Musk begins ‘mass layoffs’ of staffs after buying Twitter