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A wind and rainstorm has downed power for more than 90,000 B.C. Hydro customers across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast Wednesday morning.
B.C. Hydro says its the third major weather-related outage event this week.
Power is also out for about 1,300 hydro customers on Vancouver Island, some of the outages windstorm-related.
A special weather statement from Environment Canada covers the Lower Mainland, warning of strong winds with gusts up to 80 km/h Wednesday morning.
In the central and eastern parts of the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and Hope, gusts could reach up to 100 km/h.Â
Environment Canada says winds could lead to tree damage, power outages and travel delays, and recommends people secure loose objects and stay away from fallen power lines.Â
On Monday, a Chilliwack woman was killed by a falling tree in a local park.
The Fraser Valley is still recovering from flooding that triggered states of local emergency, forced hundreds to evacuate and shut down highways last week.Â
Parts of Abbotsford and Chilliwack remain under flood warning, meaning river levels have exceeded or are expected to imminently exceed river banks, resulting in flooding in nearby areas.
The Coquitlam River in Port Coquitlam was also upgraded to a flood warning Tuesday night.
Most of B.C.’s South Coast is under flood watch, meaning river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.
The River Forecast Centre recommends people stay clear of river banks and never drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings.
It also asks people to keep storm drains clear.
A 60-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 southeast of Hope remains closed.
DriveBC says most highways in Metro Vancouver have water pooling from heavy rain. Highway 1 has reduced speed limits in several parts of the Fraser Valley.