The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has opened an emergency shelter to offer a warm place to spend time for those who have found themselves without power in the community following the serious wind storm overnight last night and into today, Feb.9.
Power outages remain at:
•8300 block of Rainbow Drive;
• Green River Estates pump, 9900 block of Heliport Road, Heliport Road, Green River Crossing, Soo River Powerhouse, w2038 cell site, 9700 block 99 Hwy., 9000 block Cordurory Run Crt, Green River Crossing Mile 851, cell bc0597, 8900 block Hwy. 99;
• East of Valley Drive, North of Hwy. 99.
BC Hydro crews are onsite at the Green River outage and both other areas have crews assigned. The Valley Drive and Green River power outages are due to trees down across the lines.
"A reception centre has been set up by Emergency Social Services at Myrtle Philip Community School located at 6195 Lorimer Drive, Whistler," states a release. Hot drinks are available as well.
"Those without power or a place to stay tonight can use this temporary facility for lodging."
Whistler firefighters are also going to door-to-door in the affected areas to make sure that residents know there is a warm shelter with overnight cots available.
About 27,000 customers remain without power in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast and on Vancouver Island. Here in Whistler, the power outages are affecting about 500 residents.
The hardest hit areas at this time include Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Victoria, Duncan and the Southern Gulf Islands.
"Crews will continue to work around-the-clock until power is restored; however, due to challenging conditions and the extent of the damage, some customers will be without power overnight," said BC Hydro in a release.
Outages information can be found at bchydro.com/outages.
Environment Canada is warning the Sea to Sky corridor to bundle with an Arctic outflow warning in effect for Squamish to Whistler - wind chill values of -20 C will occur.
UPDATE: The emergency shelter closed Sunday morning, Feb. 10, after power was restored throughout Whistler.
