Some storm-hit communities in British Columbia could remain without electricity for days as damaged infrastructure and difficult access slow repairs, CBC reports, citing B.C. Hydro.

The utility said more than 400,000 customers in total lost power between Friday and Monday during a succession of storms. Some areas have been without electricity since late last week, while another storm that arrived Tuesday continued to batter the province Wednesday.

In a Tuesday-night update, B.C. Hydro said restoration work required extensive repairs. Fallen trees, debris and soft ground were making it difficult for crews to reach some damaged equipment.

The village of Zeballos, on northwest Vancouver Island, is expected to remain without power for a few more days. An evacuation order was issued there last week following a landslide.

B.C. Hydro said specialized equipment must be brought to the remote repair site by helicopter because of the terrain. Thursday is the earliest crews could gain access, and only if weather conditions allow them to do so safely.

Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada maintained rainfall and wind warnings across parts of the province Wednesday. More than 250 millimetres of rain is possible in parts of western and inland Vancouver Island, with rainfall rates reaching 20 millimetres an hour at times.

Up to 160 millimetres could fall along the Sea-to-Sky Highway by Thursday morning. The federal weather agency warned that localized flooding was likely and some roads could become impassable.

The warning areas included all of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, along with the Sunshine Coast, parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Canyon, and areas of the central Interior and Prince George.

Flood watches also remained in place across southwest B.C. The provincial Transportation Ministry urged South Coast drivers to prepare for heavy rain, wind, pooling water and debris, and to check DriveBC before travelling.

Routes identified as potentially most affected included the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, and the Malahat and roads serving western Vancouver Island communities. The ministry warned motorists not to drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings.

Sources