Storms becoming more frequent and severe: BC Hydro

Nov 16, 2018 | 5:00 AM

VANCOUVER — A new BC Hydro report states the number of storm events the company has responded to has tripled over the past five years.

The report found storm and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to more damage to BC Hydro’s electrical system and outages for customers, according to a news release.

The number of customer outages during major storm events has increased by roughly 265 per cent from 323,000 affected customers in 2013 to 1.18 million last year. Storm impacts have not gone unnoticed by British Columbians, BC Hydro says, adding that a recent survey found more than 75 per cent of British Columbians agree that storms in the province are getting worse.

Twenty per cent indicate they’ve experiened more outages in their neighbourhood in recent years.

In B.C., falling trees and branches are the primary cause of power outages, BC Hydro says. The province has three times more trees per kilometre of line than anywhere else in North America.

The combination of trees and adverse weather account for nearly 60 per cent of all outages.

“Despite the challenges faced by crews during these severe weather events, our customers aren’t waiting longer to have their power restored,” said Chris O’Riley, BC Hydro’s president and CEO. “In fact, about 95 per cent of customers’ power is restored within 24 hours following an extreme event.”

Hydro has been focussed on preparing for storm season year-round to improve response times, the release states. It’s also using its smart meter network along with introducing new technology and processes.