Environment Canada is issuing wind, rain and snow warnings in B.C

Thousands of hydropower customers on British Columbia’s south coast found themselves in the dark Monday morning as high winds and heavy rain downed power lines and prompted storm warnings across much of the province.

Environment Canada says winds of up to 110 km/h are expected over parts of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, while the Lower Mainland and inland areas brace for winds of up to 90 km/h during the day.

More than 23,000 BC Hydro customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast regions were without power as of 9 a.m., while 8,500 others were in the dark on Vancouver Island, the utility said.

Environment Canada says between 70mm and 100mm of rain is expected on Vancouver Island, causing road washing near rivers, creeks and culverts, while parts of Metro Vancouver could see as much as 70mm of rain.

Residents are urged to clear storm drains of leaves and debris to help prevent localized flooding.

Police in West Vancouver, where some of the highest rainfall rates in Metro Vancouver were expected, said heavy rain and accumulation of water were likely to blame for a rollover crash on Highway 99 early this morning.

Two serious pedestrian crashes were also reported in Langley and Delta, resulting in road closures.

Environment Canada says winds in Metro Vancouver will shift from strong southeasterly winds in the morning to strong northwesterly winds in the afternoon. “These strong westerly winds will also spread across the Fraser Valley,” the agency said.

Snowfall warnings

Elsewhere in the province, winter storm warnings were issued for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and Highway 3 between Grand Forks and Creston.

Environment Canada says rapidly accumulating and blowing snow along both major highways is creating “nearly zero visibility and treacherous driving conditions.”

Snowfall is expected to range from 8 inches at the Coquihalla Summit to nearly 40 inches at Kootenay Pass on Highway 3 by Tuesday morning, according to the weather bureau.

“The combination of heavy snowfall and high winds will result in severely reduced visibility and blowing snow,” the warning reads.