Power Outage Hits Saanich Peninsula
Thousands of residents on the Saanich Peninsula were left without power on June 26, 2026, after trees fell onto power lines during a storm. BC Hydro crews are responding to multiple outages affecting homes and businesses in the area.
BC Hydro Response
According to BC Hydro, the outages began in the late afternoon, with the worst-hit areas including North Saanich, Central Saanich, and parts of Sidney. Approximately 4,500 customers were initially affected, though power has been restored to some as crews clear debris and repair damaged lines.
“Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power,” said a BC Hydro spokesperson. “We urge customers to stay clear of any downed lines and report them immediately.”
Weather Conditions
The outages were triggered by strong winds that caused trees and branches to fall onto power lines. Environment Canada had issued a wind warning for the region earlier in the day, with gusts reaching up to 80 km/h. The storm is expected to subside overnight, but additional outages may occur as conditions remain unstable.
Impact on Residents
Local businesses and schools were forced to close early due to the power loss. The Saanich Peninsula Hospital activated its backup generators to ensure critical services continued. Residents are advised to check on vulnerable neighbors and prepare for possible extended outages.
BC Hydro estimates that power will be fully restored by midnight, but some areas may remain without electricity into the morning of June 27. The utility is providing updates via its website and social media channels.
