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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.