VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s power utility says it has restored power to nearly all of its customers who suffered outages during the cyclone bombing earlier this week, but high winds from a new storm have rendered difficult repairs in some areas.

BC Hydro says crews are working around the clock to repair outages across the province caused by the previous weather system, which at one point affected more than 300,000 properties.

The utility says pockets of outages remain in places like Gabriola, Quadra and Cortes Islands, as well as communities like Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay, with access issues and new systems wind turbines hampering restoration efforts.

A second fall storm following the bombed cyclone delayed several ferries along the coast and caused gusts of more than 100 km/h, but Environment Canada says it is not as strong as the previous one earlier in the week.

BC Hydro’s outage list showed more than 5,600 customers were without power Saturday morning across the province, with the highest concentration on the northern part of Vancouver Island.

Environment Canada says a wind warning is in effect for B.C.’s north and central coast, with outgoing winds expected to reach 90 km/h in some locations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 23, 2024.

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press