Snow triggers power outages on Vancouver Island – Closes schools

Nearly 18,000 BC Hydro customers on Vancouver Island remained without power Monday morning.

BC Hydro spokeswoman Simi Heer said that workers trying to restore service were being slowed down by icy and snow-covered roads.

Some of the hardest hit communities included Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan and North Cowichan, Nanaimo, the Highlands, Pender and Saturna Islands, and Port Alberni.

Heavy snowfall across much of Vancouver Island also had many schools declare Monday a snow day.

Image: bc-hydro-outage-map-24Feb14

Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for much of the island — including Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay and Nanaimo — where up to 15 cm (6 inches) was expected.

With a risk of tree branches bending and breaking under heavy snow loads, and coming down on power lines, BC Hydro said more power outages could occur later Monday.

BC Hydro outages website:
http://www.bchydro.com/outages/orsMapView.jsp
http://www.bchydro.com/outages/orsTableView.jsp

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/power-out-schools-closed-in-vancouver-island-snow-storm-1.2549119

Thanks to Argiris Diamantis for this link