Power Outages Across Regions
A significant BC Hydro outage has left almost 1,600 customers without power in the North Okanagan, primarily due to motor vehicle accidents. As of 7:15 a.m. on March 12, 2026, 976 customers between Armstrong and Enderby are affected, while an additional 641 customers along Highway 97 west of Armstrong lost power shortly before 7:30 a.m.
In Chilliwack, the situation is even more severe, with 20 reported outages impacting a total of 6,796 customers as of 9:38 a.m. The outages began late the previous evening, with 1,653 customers south of Keith Wilson Road losing power at 9:25 p.m., followed by 1,147 customers in Sardis at 10:07 p.m., and 864 customers north of Chilliwack Central Road at 9:30 p.m.
Weather Conditions Contributing to Outages
The widespread outages are attributed to a windstorm that has affected Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, bringing gusts of up to 106 km/h. This severe weather has led to significant disruptions in electricity supply across multiple regions.
As BC Hydro crews work to restore power, the full extent of the impact remains to be seen. Observers are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in areas where outages are still being reported. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the complete restoration timeline.
BC Hydro has not yet provided a comprehensive update on the restoration efforts, but the utility company is urging customers to stay safe and report any downed power lines or hazardous conditions.
Residents are advised to prepare for potential extended outages and to check for updates from BC Hydro as the situation develops. The company is actively responding to the outages caused by both the windstorm and the accidents that have contributed to the power disruptions.
