Canadian power supplier warns of ‘substantial damage’ this storm season

BC Hydro, British Columbia’s electric utility company, has warned that the months-long period of drought has made the province’s trees more prone to be swept up by storms, which raises the risk of power outages and property damage.

The company’s meteorologist has predicted a “greater likelihood for substantial damage this storm season because there is a healthy stock of wind-vulnerable trees,” it said in a release. BC Hydro explained that drought-affected trees are more likely to become uprooted or snap in two during the windy season. It has cautioned that BC residents could be facing more power outages this fall and winter as a result.

“Trees that have been impacted by the drought will not show immediate visible effects. However, drought conditions have impacted the small structural roots that provide trees with stability, making them more susceptible to wind of any speed,” the utility company explained in a release.

BC Hydro drew similarities to conditions experienced in 2015 and 2018, when storms caused significant power outages due to situations that were made worse due to drought.

The utility company’s report comes as a wind and rain storm hits the province this week. According to Vancouver Sun, about 100,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm yesterday. BC Hydro posted an update on its website, noting that the number of customers without power has since been reduced to about 10,700 as of October 27, 4:15 p.m., after crews worked throughout the day to restore systems.