Storm cuts power to over 80,000 B.C. Hydro customers in the Lower Mainland
A wind and rainstorm has downed power for more than 80,000 B.C. Hydro customers across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast Wednesday morning.
B.C. Hydro says it's the third major weather-related outage event this week.
Power is also out for about 6,000 hydro customers on Vancouver Island, some of the outages windstorm-related.
All schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are closed Wednesday as most school buildings are without power, according to the school board.
Kevin Aquino with B.C. Hydro says historic drought over the past few years has weakened and damaged trees, making them more susceptible to break during wind storms.
Peak wind gusts measured as of Wednesday morning. (The Weather Network)
"Unfortunately we are at the helm of mother nature right now," Aquino told CBC's The Early Edition Wednesday morning. He said crews are working around the clock to restore power safely.
A special weather statement from Environment Canada covers the Lower Mainland, warning of strong winds with gusts up to 80 km/h Wednesday morning.
In the central and eastern parts of the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and Hope, gusts could reach up to 100 km/h.
Environment Canada says winds could lead to tree damage, power outages and travel delays, and recommends people secure loose objects and stay away from fallen power lines.
On Monday, a Chilliwack woman was killed by a falling tree in a local park.
The Fraser Valley is still recovering from flooding that triggered states of local emergency, forced hundreds to evacuate and shut down highways last week.
Parts of Abbotsford and Chilliwack remain under flood warning, meaning river levels have exceeded or are expected to imminently exceed river banks, resulting in flooding in nearby areas.
The Coquitlam River in Port Coquitlam was also upgraded to a flood warning Tuesday night.
Flooding seen in Sumas Prairie on Dec. 16. (The Weather Network)
Most of B.C.’s South Coast is under flood watch, meaning river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.
The River Forecast Centre recommends people stay clear of river banks and never drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings.
It also asks people to keep storm drains clear.
A 60-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 southeast of Hope remains closed.
DriveBC says most highways in Metro Vancouver have water pooling from heavy rain. Highway 1 has reduced speed limits in several parts of the Fraser Valley.
WATCH: Abbotsford farmers face devastation after second major flood in Fraser Valley
This article, written by Michelle Gomez, was originally published for CBC News.