Strong winds and heavy rain have made a bit of a mess in Port Alberni.
Power outages, fallen trees and flooded roads have impacted the community as gusts of wind at more than 60 km/h have been recorded.
According to BC Hydro, approximately 130,000 customers have been affected by power outages on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro is asking people to leave an outside light switched on so they can tell if a neighbourhood has power. Continued strong winds have made damage assessment and repairs difficult, but where safe, crews are busy repairing damaged power lines, poles and transformers.
City crews are patrolling for downed trees and working to clear pooling water. The Port Alberni Fire Department is also responding to downed power lines.
Tseshaht First Nation has declared a state of emergency as heavy rains continue to fill the Somass River, threatening homes on Tseshaht land. The B.C. River Forecast Centre has projected that the river will continue to rise until Friday morning.
