By Canadian Press

Weather prompts record 1.4 million electricity outages for BC Hydro customers in 2024

Jan 31, 2025 | 11:24 AM

VANCOUVER — Nearly 1.4 million BC Hydro customers lost their power last year due to weather-related events, setting an all-time record for the utility.

BC Hydro says in a statement that the unprecedented number of outages was primarily due to three powerful storms that hit the South Coast and Vancouver Island in November and December.

The statement says a survey conducted for BC Hydro shows that nearly three-quarters of B.C. residents experienced at least one weather-related outage last year.

The Crown utility says the fall and winter storms were among the five largest such events in the past decade and were made worse by recent drought that left trees susceptible to damage, and to falling on power lines and other infrastructure.

Hydro spokeswoman Susie Rieder says the utility has been preparing for the effects of climate change on its system, tripling its budget for vegetation management around transmission lines.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: It's sad to see so many DEI initiatives cut back

2h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: While working to stem tariff threat, Eby can't neglect systemic healthcare problems in B.C.

Feb 28, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: February 27, 2025

Feb 27, 2025

She says that despite the increased frequency of outages, BC Hydro’s response times are improving, with a track record of restoring power to 90 per cent of customers within 24 hours.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025.

The Canadian Press