Severe Windstorm Hits Chilliwack
A powerful windstorm caused significant damage in Chilliwack, British Columbia, on March 11-12, 2026. The storm resulted in over 14,000 BC Hydro customers being left without power.
Wind gusts in the Chilliwack area reached up to 90 km/h, with forecasts indicating that gusts could potentially reach as high as 100 km/h over the eastern Fraser Valley.
In response to the severe weather conditions, five schools in Chilliwack were closed, including Sardis Secondary, which was shut down due to a power outage and unsafe conditions for learning.
BC Hydro reported that by March 12, 2026, more than 21,000 customers across the Eastern Fraser Valley were without power, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.
Environment Canada had issued a yellow weather warning for wind on March 11, 2026, alerting residents to the impending severe weather.
School District 33 (SD33) released a statement regarding the situation, saying, “Due to last night’s severe weather conditions, Sardis Secondary is currently without power, and BC Hydro has not yet provided a timeline for restoration.” They emphasized, “The safety and comfort of our students and staff remains our top priority.”
This windstorm follows a series of severe weather events in the region, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness.
As the community begins to assess the damage and restore power, local officials are urging residents to stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for power restoration across the affected areas.
The situation continues to develop as authorities monitor the weather and its impact on the community.
