Vancouver Island snowstorm leaves thousands without power, schools closed
Thousands of BC Hydro customers on Vancouver Island were in the dark Monday as overnight snowfall downed tree limbs and power lines.
More than 8,000 customers on the North Island were without electricity by 8 a.m., according to the power provider.
Campbell River, Port Hardy and Alert Bay were the communities most affected by the early outages.
Nearly 1,000 customers on Galiano Island were also without electricity Monday morning.
The weather and power outages also shut down a COVID-19 testing centre in Campbell River on Monday.
Island Health says that the testing and collection site on 1358 Marwalk St. was temporarily closed due to a power outage in the area.
Anyone who booked a COVID-19 test at the centre will be contacted by the health authority to reschedule their appointment.
"If you require testing, and are unable to get tested today, please do not go to an emergency department for testing," said Island Health in a statement Monday.
"Stay home, avoid contact with others and continue to self-isolate until you get your test and results, and then follow the self-isolation period recommended for your result."
Otherwise, anyone who develops severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, should call 911 or go to their nearest Emergency Department, says Island Health.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
The overnight snowfall caused school closures in some regions of the island.
All schools in the Campbell River School District and the Comox Valley School District were closed Monday.
All Campbell River School District programs, facility rentals and evening events are also cancelled, the district said in a statement posted on its Facebook account.
"If you are a group that had reserved the use of one of our facilities, please contact the school board office receptionist to reschedule or receive a refund," the school district said.
SNOWFALL WARNINGS STILL ACTIVE
Snowfall warnings remain in effect for every region of the island, with accumulation up to 25 centimetres predicted at higher elevations and inland regions.
The Greater Victoria region was largely spared by the overnight snowfall, though areas on the Saanich Peninsula and the Malahat did see overnight snow.
A snowplow on the Malahat highway on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (CTV News)
"A strong frontal system from the Pacific coupling with cold surface temperatures is bringing snow to Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast," said Environment and Climate Change Canada in a statement Monday.
"Depending on the location, the snow will gradually transition to rain or wet snow mixed with rain this morning or early afternoon," the weather service added.
Drivers are advised prepare for traffic delays and changing road conditions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.