The most important thing for people to keep in mind in the midst of a wind storm, according to Abbotsford police, is to prepare for power outages.
“We would request that people please keep in mind that there’s a high possibility of power outages, to be prepared,” Abbotsford Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Judy Bird said. “If the power does go out, we want people to check on their neighbours who may be vulnerable, such as elderly folks or people that you know may need some help.”
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According to BC Hydro, one outage in the area just east of Mill Lake is affecting 4,300 customers. Another further north, at around Downes Road and Gladwin Road, is affecting 1,000 customers, and two outages in east Abbotsford, in the Sumas Prairie area, are affecting a combined 2,800 customers.
Power reportedly went out at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, but that is now back on.
An outage in #Abbotsford is affecting 4300 customers and crews will be responding. We'll have the latest info on our mobile site once they arrive and assess: https://t.co/8gjW3uhtS5 pic.twitter.com/Qv5mqrZRfy
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 20, 2018
Crews will be heading to an outage affecting 500 customers in #Abbotsford. They'll share updates here: https://t.co/oe00YVhzTO pic.twitter.com/DuZHgIz6lN
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 20, 2018
Crews will be heading to an outage affecting 2,300 customers in #Abbotsford. They'll share updates here: https://t.co/wJswXn3j3H pic.twitter.com/s4IbyRnjfQ
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 20, 2018
We'll be responding to an outage affecting 1000 customers in #Abbotsford. Latest info will be on our mobile site as available: https://t.co/3qpWJTsFjR pic.twitter.com/018tEmnsed
— BC Hydro (@bchydro) December 20, 2018
Power outages can be reported to BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376 or by texting *49376 on mobile, and an up-to-date interactive map of all outages can be found on the BC Hydro website.
Bird is also cautioning vehicle owners to drive with care, as heavy winds, can cause debris from trees and other nearby items to fly or fall into the roads.
Today’s #BCstorm is a little crazy in the @City_Abbotsford. This barn just went airborne. Watch out for flying debris. Stay inside if you can. @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/cLaEimL9LN
— Cst P Walker (@CstWalkerAPD) December 20, 2018
“I just looked at our social media, and apparently it’s blowing quite hard. Also, up on Eagle Mountain and Sumas Mountain. Be diligent if you’re driving out there and there’s trees, to be prepared for debris on the roadway,” Bird said.
“The other thing is that these heavy winds can tend to blow people that are driving sideways. And they should be prepared that these winds can have an effect on your driving. They can blow you off course, so you should slow down.”
Bird says drivers should steer into the wind if they are being blown around, and if one doesn’t feel comfortable with driving, pull over and have someone pick you up.
Debris on the roads can be reported online at the “request for service” page on the City of Abbotsford website.