More than 5,700 customers are experiencing power outages in the North Delta area, as a wind storm sweeps through the Lower Mainland.
RELATED: 300,000 without power due to B.C. wind storm
BC Hydro has reported several outages in North Delta, affecting 2,117 customers in Sunbury, 718 in Canterbury Heights and 2,267 in Annieville. Another outage crossing the Surrey/North Delta border has left 2,788 customers without power around Nordel Way and Scott Road, and 667 customers in Sunshine Hills have been without power since just before 5 p.m.
An outage East Delta area is also affecting 809 customers between the Boundary Bay airport, King George Boulevard and Burns Bog near Highway 91. Still more outages have been reported on Annacis Island, in Ladner and in Tsawwassen, affecting more than 5,900 customers, plus another 134 on a grid straddling New Westminster andAnnacis Island.
Residents have been posting on Facebook about a number of downed trees in North Delta, and are reminding others to stay safe on the roads.
Drivers - Pls avoid 80th Ave. between 110th to 108th. Trees and power poles are down throughout this stretch. No reported injuries at this time. Parents of Gray Elementary students will be picking up children at Sands Gym, as per school notifications.
— Delta Police (@deltapolice) December 20, 2018
The Delta School District has put out a notice saying that students will be kept inside because of the wind, and are asking parents to pick up their children from school to ensure they arrive home safely. Students will be dismissed from a “safe school location,” the advisory reads.
The City of Delta has also tweeted that all Delta parks, recreation and culture facilities are currently closed and the city has activated its emergency operations centre. The Fraser Valley Regional Library has tweeted the George Mackie Library and the Tsawwassen Library are without power.
The City of Delta’s Emergency Operations Centre remains open as crews continue to actively respond to downed trees and power lines throughout #DeltaBC. If you see a downed power line, stay back at least 10 metres and call 9-1-1. Full update: https://t.co/cBDckb15fm pic.twitter.com/ULCvKUN4A1
— City of Delta (@CityofDeltaBC) December 21, 2018
[ALERT] FVRL George Mackie Library and Tsawwassen Library are without power at this time. Please note that some of our locations may be closed due to power outages. Please call the library to ensure it is open prior to heading out. #BCStorm #DeltaBC
— 📚 FVRL (@ReadLearnPlay) December 20, 2018
The Delta Police Department is also reminding residents that 911 is experiencing a higher than usual volume of calls due to the windstorm. Extra resources have been put on phone lines to handle the volume.
North Delta isn’t the only area affected by Thursday’s windstorm. Tsawwassen also has a high number people without power, and there are reports that Deltaport employees were evacuated due to the parking lot flooding with ocean water.
Ferry sailings from Tsawwassen have also been cancelled due to the wind.
RELATED: BC Ferries cancels 80 sailings amid wind storm
Other ocean side communities are also feeling the effects of Thursday’s storm. White Rock’s pier broke in half earlier in the day, leaving one person trapped at the far end.
READ MORE: White Rock pier destroyed by storm, stranded man rescued
Outages due to the wind storm stretch across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. BC Hydro is asking customers to be patient as they assess damage and make repairs where it can be done safely.
grace.kennedy@northdeltareporter.com
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