December 17, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A powerful windstorm swept through British Columbia’s South Coast overnight, leaving approximately 120,000 customers in the dark and causing widespread disruption. The storm, which brought down trees and tangled power lines, hit the Lower Mainland particularly hard.
According to BC Hydro, Surrey saw the highest impact with over 18,000 residents losing electricity, while Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Maple Ridge, and North Vancouver each reported more than 10,000 affected customers.
Environment Canada had previously issued wind warnings for the region, citing a vigorous cold front capable of producing gusts up to 80 km/h. In some coastal areas and exposed headlands, wind speeds were reported even higher, snapping branches and sending debris onto major roadways. The storm also coincided with heavy rainfall in some districts, leading to pooling water and challenging driving conditions for the morning commute.
In response to the widespread outages, BC Hydro has mobilized all available repair crews, including contractors from neighboring regions, to restore service as quickly as possible. The utility company noted that while many customers were reconnected by early morning, the sheer volume of individual damage sites—ranging from fallen trees to broken crossarms—means that some residents may remain without power for the duration of the day.
The weather system is now tracking toward the province’s interior. Forecasters expect strong winds to persist throughout the day in the Southern Interior, specifically targeting the Okanagan and Kootenay regions. Residents in these areas are advised to secure loose outdoor furniture and prepare for potential localized outages as the front passes through.
Public safety remains a top priority for officials. BC Hydro is issuing an urgent reminder for the public to stay back at least 10 metres (the length of a standard transit bus) from any downed power lines. A downed line should always be treated as “live” and dangerous, and citizens are encouraged to report such hazards immediately by calling 911.
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