Tens of Thousands Without Power as ‘Bomb Cyclone’ Slams B.C. Coast

Tens of thousands of residents, primarily on Vancouver Island, remained without power Wednesday morning after hurricane-force winds from a "bomb cyclone" swept through southwest British Columbia overnight.

Wind gusts nearing 160 km/h were recorded at Sartine Island, off northern Vancouver Island, as the storm toppled trees and brought down power lines across the region.

The intense weather system forced multiple ferry cancellations, including key routes between Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Southern Gulf Islands. B.C. Ferries has advised travellers to check its service notices page for updates.

What is a Bomb Cyclone?

A "bomb cyclone" refers to a weather system where air pressure drops sharply—over 24 millibars in 24 hours—creating powerful spiraling winds. This particular system formed roughly 400 kilometers west of Tofino, B.C., and unleashed prolonged and widespread gusts across the South Coast.

“This storm is unusually long-lasting,” said CBC science communicator Darius Mahdavi. “It could last 12 to 20 hours in parts of the coast, with accompanying rain and snow potentially dropping up to a metre at higher elevations by Wednesday night.”

Power Outages and Ferry Disruptions

As of 6 a.m. PT Wednesday, nearly 90,000 B.C. Hydro customers on Vancouver Island were still without electricity. At its peak on Tuesday, the storm left up to 150,000 properties in the dark.

Ted Olynyk of B.C. Hydro said crews had been brought over from Vancouver in anticipation of ferry cancellations. Additional crews will arrive as ferry service resumes.

Videos posted online show trees crashing onto power lines. Olynyk emphasized the importance of staying at least 10 metres away from downed power lines, calling them a serious safety risk.

Highway Closures

The storm caused significant travel disruptions, with several highways shut down due to fallen trees and debris. Highway 4 east of Port Alberni remains closed as of early Wednesday, along with portions of highways 19, 28, and 30 on Vancouver Island.

Tofino Mayor Dan Law urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to pack essentials if venturing out.
“Bring water and food in case you get stuck on a highway,” he advised.

The storm's unusual easterly winds caused additional damage, as trees accustomed to prevailing westerly gusts proved weaker against the unexpected direction.

Recovery Efforts and Outlook

Environment Canada said winds were expected to gradually weaken on Wednesday, bringing some respite to the battered region.

This marks the second major storm to hit B.C.’s South Coast in just over a week. A similar windstorm on Nov. 12 caused widespread damage and left tens of thousands of residents without power.