The Surrey School District says “at least” 12 schools are without power this morning, and it’s suspected there are more that haven’t reported outages.
Schools all remain open, however, noted spokesman Doug Strachan.
“The main issues are that there’s light. The classrooms have windows,” said Strachan. “We’re carrying on. They may have to put jackets on if the heat starts to dissipate.”
The power has gone out at Salish BUT we are very fortunate to be the only school with a back-up generator. Therefore, students are safe and school is still in session.
— Ecole Salish Secondary (@SalishSecondary) December 20, 2018
Strachan said schools aren’t required to report outages “unless there are potential safety issues or the situation becomes untenable (getting too cold, or other complications arise).”
Strachan didn’t provide a list of schools, but said they appear to mostly be in city’s north end, as well as some in Clayton.
As of 11:40 a.m., BC Hydro was reporting 50,000 customers without power in the Lower Mainland/Sunshine Coast area. More than 13,000 customers were without power in Surrey at that time, according to BC Hydro.
Weather Warning: Strong winds are in the forecast for #SurreyBC. To report power outages or fallen trees, call the @bchydro Emergency line at 1-888-769-3766. #BCStorm
— City of Surrey (@CityofSurrey) December 20, 2018
For a continuously updated list of outages, and the status, click here.
Meantime, due to high winds, Strachan said schools have been “advised to keep students inside where trees may be an issue.”
Langley elementary school RC Garnett is also without power, and the principal there sent an email to parents saying there are “some loose soffits at the rear side of the building that are pulling out in the high winds.”
Students and staff at that school are currently “required to stay in the building until further notice and the district has dispatched maintenance to help out,” according to the email.
In October of 2016, a Surrey high school student died after a tree fell on him at Clayton Heights Secondary.
See also: Surrey teen dies after tree falls on him at Clayton Heights Secondary school
When first responders arrived they found the boy in a wooded area near the school, with a tree on top of him.
The boy was rushed to hospital by ambulance but did not survive.
amy.reid@surreynowleader.com
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