Majority of British Columbians not prepared for next severe winter storm: BC Hydro

BY SEAN BOYNTON GLOBAL NEWS

Posted November 22, 2019 10:25 pm

Boats are battered by waves at the end of the White Rock Pier that was severely damaged during a windstorm, in White Rock, B.C., on December 20, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly a year after BC Hydro experienced the most devastating windstorm in its history, the utility says a majority of British Columbians aren’t prepared for the next one.

BC Hydro’s report cites an online survey conducted last month that found 60 per cent of 800 respondents “have not taken steps to be more prepared for power outages caused by winter storms.”

Further, only 50 per cent of those surveyed have an emergency preparedness kit, which BC Hydro says all residents should have in the event of a power outage. The survey found only 10 per cent of respondents plan to purchase a kit this year.

“That 60 per cent number is concerning to us,” BC Hydro spokesperson Tanya Fish said. “We recommend people take those steps to get prepared, not only for power outages but also for other emergencies.”

In December, more than 750,000 customers lost power after high winds battered the B.C. coast, with gusts topping 100 km/h.

READ MORE: BC Hydro says December windstorm was the most damaging in its history

The storm downed trees and power poles, and damaged homes, businesses and landmarks like the White Rock pier.

BC Hydro says the December storm was larger than the August 2015 windstorm that affected the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, and the 2006 windstorm that hit Vancouver Island and devastated Stanley Park in Vancouver.

But the utility said these storms are happening with increasing frequency. Data shows that in 2018, more customers experienced storm-related power outages than ever before.

“We know winter storms are getting worse,” Fish said. “We’ve seen more damage to our system, more damage to our customers. This is a way for us to encourage customers to get prepared.”

BC Hydro says everyone — particularly in coastal and island communities — should be bracing themselves for storms similar to the one in December.

That includes having an emergency kit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, required medications, non-perishable food, warm clothing, blankets and bottled water.

READ MORE: B.C.’s winter weather outlook: It’s going to get interesting

The report notes in the last five years, BC Hydro customers have lost power for an average of five million hours each year due to trees and adverse weather.

In 2018, that average shot up by more than double to 11 million hours.

Province-wide, tree-related outages were up 29 per cent in 2018, compared to the five-year average.

Remembrance Day 2019: Where ceremonies are being held in B.C. Social Sharing

A list of ceremonies taking place across the province Nov. 11

CBC News · Posted: Nov 08, 2019 11:39 AM PT | Last Updated: November 8

There are dozens of Remembrance Day ceremonies being held throughout B.C. on Nov. 11. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Across the province, people will gather on Nov. 11 to pay their respects at Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Here's a list of some of the events happening in B.C.'s bigger municipalities (all times PT). Similar services will be held in smaller communities across the province. 

Abbotsford

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at Thunderbird Memorial Square. The ceremony will include a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. and a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Chilliwack

Chilliwack will host several ceremonies:

• At 10 a.m. at the cenotaph in downtown Chilliwack, by the Chilliwack Museum on Main Street.

• At 10 a.m. at the Vedder Crossing Cenotaph.

• At the Coqualeetza Longhouse at 10 a.m., in honour of Sto:lo Nation warriors.

Delta

A ceremony will be held at North Delta Social Heart Plaza beginning at 10:40 a.m., followed by a reception.

The Ladner Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will host a Remembrance Day event at Memorial Park. A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. from the legion the Memorial Park Cenotaph. A ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m.

Kamloops

A ceremony and parade will begin at Riverside Park at 10:30 a.m. 

Kelowna

Downtown, a parade to the City Park Cenotaph will begin at 10:30 a.m., leading up to a ceremony around 10:45 to 11 a.m. After the ceremony, parade attendees will continue to march to Stuart Park. 

Another ceremony and parade will take place at Rutland Lions Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

The poppy became a symbol of remembrance following the First World War. (Justin Pennell/CBC)

Langley

A ceremony will be held at Douglas Park in Langley, set to start at 10:45 a.m. A parade will arrive at the event start time, followed by the ceremony at 10:55 a.m. Community members can order wreaths in person or over the phone which will be picked up by the city and delivered to the ceremony site.

The Township of Langley will hold three ceremonies across the community.

Aldergrove: A parade to the Aldergrove Legion will leave Old Yale Road at 10:45 a.m. PT. The procession will be followed by a service starting at 10:50 a.m. PT which will include a wreath laying and a flypast over the ceremony by the Fraser Blues. 

Fort Langley: A procession beginning at 10:25 a.m. will march through the Fort Langley Cemetery, past the graves of fallen soldiers, to the cenotaph. Following the procession, a service will be held which will include a flypast by the Fraser Blues at 11 a.m. 

Murrayville: A procession will depart from the south end of Murrayville Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. After the event, attendees can visit the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre or United Church for refreshments. 

Maple Ridge

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at Memorial Peace Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. A parade will march through the downtown core to the Cenotaph. A ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. followed by flags being lowered at 11:30.

Children sit quietly at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Kelowna, B.C., in 2016. (@ChristyClarkBC/Twitter)

Mission

A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Clark Theatre, followed by a ceremony at 10:40 a.m.

Nelson

A parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Nelson Royal Canadian Legion, leading up to a ceremony at Nelson City Hall at 11 a.m.

New Westminster

A parade will begin at 10:25 a.m., heading from Queens Avenue and Sixth Street to the Cenotaph on Royal Avenue. 

North Vancouver

A service will be held on the east side of Victoria Park at 11 a.m., followed by a procession. The North Vancouver Legion will host entertainment from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and minors are invited to visit the cadet houses following the ceremony. Up to 6,000 community members are expected to attend.

Pitt Meadows

A ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph in Spirit Square beginning at 10:45 a.m. A reception will commence afterwards at Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre. Community members who would like to include their wreath in the ceremony can drop it off at the event location from 9 to 10 a.m.

Port Coquitlam

The Port Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion will host a Remembrance Day ceremony at Veterans Park beginning at 11 a.m 

Port Moody

A parade and ceremony will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. at the Port Moody Arts Centre. The event will be followed by entertainment at the Port Moody Legion from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Prince George

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, beginning at 9 a.m.

Richmond

A parade will start at 10:20 a.m. leading up to a ceremony and wreath laying held at the cenotaph at Richmond City Hall. After the ceremony, community members can attend a reception at the City Hall Galleria.

Surrey

Surrey will host several Remembrance Day events, including a number of processions taking place throughout the city. The main official ceremony, hosted by the City of Surrey and Cemetery Services, will be held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery starting at 10:45 a.m.

Vancouver

The city's main Remembrance Day Ceremony takes place at Victory Square Park beginning at 10 a.m., where the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir and Sarabande Choir will be performing.

Community members are also invited to honour Chinese-Canadian military veterans and Chinese-Canadian pioneers at Chinatown's annual Remembrance Day Ceremony, starting at at 12:30 p.m.

A ceremony at the University of B.C. begins at 10:45 a.m. at the War Memorial Gym, including short readings, remarks from special guests and musical performances by the UBC Opera Ensemble.

Victoria

A wreath laying will be held at the City of Victoria Cenotaph beginning at 10:30 a.m., and a service will be held at Parliament Square in Victoria, beginning at 11 a.m. The service will include attendance by the St. John Ambulance Brigade, a wreath laying, and a special prayer offered by Rev. Andrew Gates. 

Event organizers are asking for community members' patience and understanding as space and seating will be limited this year due to construction in the area. 

West Vancouver

A ceremony will be held starting with a parade from the Legion to the West Vancouver Cenotaph, followed by an official service. Community members can attend a reception at the Legion following the ceremony, at 580 18th St.

White Rock

A ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph at White Rock City Hall, beginning with a parade from Johnston Road at Roper Avenue at 10:30 a.m. A service will begin at 11 a.m., and community members are invited to visit the White Rock Royal Canadian Legion for entertainment afterwards.

With files from Marwa Elgabry