Power was knocked out to thousands of homes across Vancouver Island as the latest in a series of three storms swept across B.C.’s South Coast.

Strong winds brought down wires and cut power to several hundred homes in Port Alberni and more than 4,000 homes in Tofino and Ucluelet, according to BC Hydro.

Highway 4 near Ucluelet was blocked overnight due to fallen debris, and was expected to reopen Friday morning.

On the South Island, many woke up to power outages on the Saanich Peninsula, Duncan, Sooke and Victoria that were later restored, while more than 2,000 BC Hydro customer on the North Island remained without power late Friday morning.

BC Ferries sailings from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo and Victoria at around 1 p.m. faced delays as severe gusts of winds caused vessels to be held in dock. 

Environment Canada issued wind warnings for West, East and Inland Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands, which were later ended as gusts eased off.

The District of Tofino took the precautionary step of closing access to major and minor beaches due to "very high tides and storm surges."

Parks Canada also shut down access to several beaches and lots in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve because of the hazardous conditions.

As is the case when heavy rain falls, a boil water advisory was issued for most of the Comox Valley.

The winds are expected to ease off by the afternoon before the third and final storm expected to batter the coast, fuelled by remnants of Typhoon Songda, makes landfall Saturday.

With the stormy weather making the outdoors inhospitable for homeless people in the region, the province announced it would provide early funding to open Extreme Weather Response Shelters across B.C.

While the shelter season usually runs from Nov. 1 to March 31, EWR shelters have opened early in Duncan, Ladysmith, Port Alberni, Courtenay as a result.

Only one shelter was open in Victoria when the first storm struck Wednesday and nearly 30 people had to be turned away, according to Our Place Society.

The organization said it would plan to make 50 beds available as of Thursday night.

Other organizations are soliciting donations for rain gear and other equipment to protect the Capital Region’s most vulnerable population.

Maximum wind gusts to 11 a.m. Friday:

  • Tofino: 52 km/h
  • Victoria-Gonzales: 57 km/h
  • Port Hardy: 37 km/h
  • Port Alberni 46 km/h (gust to increase in afternoon)
  • Howe Sound Pam Rocks: 81 km/h
  • Esquimalt Harbour: 46 km/h
  • Comox: 68km/h
  • Saturna Island: 74 km/h

With files from The Canadian Press