B.C. windstorm knocks out power, cancels ferries [Video]

More than 280,000 British Columbians lost power Saturday as high winds lashed the South Coast, though most had it restored by early evening.

In an operational update at 5:15 p.m., BC Hydro said it had restored power to 170,000 customers who lost it, or about 60 per cent of the total.

“Due to the extensive damage, there will be some customers without power overnight,” BC Hydro said. “All available crews will work into the night and throughout the day tomorrow to restore power and repair damaged infrastructure.”

Of the remaining 110,000 customers without power, the “vast majority” were located on the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast, the utility said.

As of 5:15 p.m., there were 57,000 customers without power in Surrey, 13,000 in Burnaby and 7,000 in Port Coquitlam, according to BC Hydro.

“More than 250 BC Hydro crews and contractor crews have been working throughout the day, and …