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UPDATE: Nearly 4,000 without power in Port Coquitlam as winds batter Tri-Cities

Power was knocked out after high winds and rain downed a tree over some power lines; power was restored roughly an hour later but a BC Hydro spokesperson says more outages are expected as 70,000 British Columbians sit in the dark
Stefan Labbé
A power outage in Port Coquitlam has left nearly 4,000 customers without power. A BC Hydro crew is e
A power outage in Port Coquitlam has left nearly 4,000 customers without power. A BC Hydro crew is expected to arrive after 1 p.m. to assess the problem.BC Hydro

Power has been restored to nearly 4,000 homes and businesses that were left in the dark just after noon Tuesday in Port Coquitlam after a tree was felled across power klines by high winds and rain.

The outage, which occurred at 12:05, Oct. 13, affected 3,820 BC Hydro customers in a quadrant of the city northeast of Lougheed Highway and bounded by Prairie Avenue in the north, Flint Street in the west and Fremont Street in the west. 

A BC Hydro crew restored power to the area roughly an hour after it was knocked out.

"We are seeing a storm come though and we do expect to see more outages throughout the day," said BC Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott, adding that roughly 70,000 customers across the province are currently without power. "It's all hands on deck."

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning to the Tri-Cities as a rapidly intensifying low pressure system approaches the south coast of British Columbia. 

Gusty winds blowing up to 90 kilometres per hour are expected across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and into Howe Sound today.

“High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break,” wrote the national weather agency in its wind warning alert.

The utility company has also shut Buntzen Lake Recreation Area to visitors as a precaution in the face of strong winds.

Several major power outages have been reported across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver, including one in Maple Ridge affecting roughly 3,200 customers, one in Surrey affecting nearly 2,900 customers.

If you see a downed power line or damaged poll, BC Hydro recommends maintaining a distance of at least 10 metres and calling 9-1-1 to ensure a quick response.

Winds are expected to ease this evening.