Skip to main content

Downed trees block highway to Tofino, cut off power to thousands

High seas and snow-capped mountains near Tofino, B.C.. (Getty Images) High seas and snow-capped mountains near Tofino, B.C.. (Getty Images)
Share

Fallen trees cut off the only highway to and from the Vancouver Island communities of Tofino and Ucluelet, B.C., on Friday morning, while thousands of area residents woke up in the dark due to power outages.

B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said early Friday morning that Highway 4 was closed between the Taylor River rest area and the Tofino-Ucluelet junction due to downed trees and hydro lines.

Work crews are on scene along the 51-kilometre closure to restore road access and power, the province said.

The outage left more than 4,600 BC Hydro customers in the dark since 12:53 a.m., according to the power provider.

By 2:30 p.m., there was no indication when the highway access or electricity would be restored.

The disruption comes as drivers across much of southern B.C. are being asked to avoid all non-essential travel due to the dangers of snow and freezing rain with the latest storm system to hit B.C.'s south coast.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said travel by road on Vancouver Island, the south coast, or to and from the Interior should be avoided “unless absolutely necessary.”

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Trump promises a 25% tariff on products from Canada, Mexico

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that on his first day in office he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs.

NDP support for part of Liberal relief package in question, as House stalemate persists

After telling Canadians that New Democrats would back Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's holiday affordability package and help pass it quickly, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh now wants it split up, as he's only ready to support part of it. Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the Liberals are 'certainly open to working with the opposition parties,' to find a path forward.

Stay Connected