Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Metro Vancouver least ready for outage: BC Hydro

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Nov, 2021 10:43 AM
  • Metro Vancouver least ready for outage: BC Hydro

VANCOUVER - BC Hydro says storm-related outages are more frequent in British Columbia due to climate change but when it comes to preparing for a blackout, a new report shows Lower Mainland residents are in the dark.

The report from the Crown utility says more than half of Lower Mainland residents think their region is the most prepared for storm-related power outages, but fewer than half have an outage plan or emergency kit at home.

Hydro spokesman Kyle Donaldson says people in areas such as northern B.C., where outages are more frequent, are less confident in their region's preparedness, but 62 per cent have an emergency kit ready to go when the lights go out.

Vancouver Islanders also have frequent storm-related outages and the report shows 58 per cent of respondents say they are prepared to lose electricity, although just 22 per cent think their region is the most prepared overall for a blackout.

Seventy per cent of B.C. residents also say it's important or very important to have cellphone access during an outage, but the report shows nearly 75 per cent of Lower Mainland residents would rely on their phones and 13 per cent would rather go without their partner than their cell during an outage — the highest of any region.

Regional differences aside, Hydro says the key to coping with a storm-related blackout is to have an emergency kit with supplies to support every member of the household for 72 hours, and to know what to do before, during and after an outage.

Tips for managing without electrical power include covering stand-alone freezers with blankets or sleeping bags to add further insulation, Hydro says in its list of outage do's and don'ts.

"Give our electrical system a chance to stabilize after an outage," it says of the recovery phase.

"Turn on the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting the others."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Proactive policing leads to seizure of drugs, cash and a vehicle: Surrey RCMP

Proactive policing leads to seizure of drugs, cash and a vehicle: Surrey RCMP
Police seized 151 oxycodone pills, 51 morphine pill, and 21 grams of cocaine, which was packaged for street level sale. In addition to the illegal drugs, officers seized $4685 in cash along with the vehicle being used to facilitate the offences.

Proactive policing leads to seizure of drugs, cash and a vehicle: Surrey RCMP

Richmond RCMP seek public assistance in locating South Asian female Shewanie Gounden

Richmond RCMP seek public assistance in locating South Asian female Shewanie Gounden
Police are very concerned for Shewanie's health and well-being and friends and family report that it is out of character for her to be out of contact for this long.

Richmond RCMP seek public assistance in locating South Asian female Shewanie Gounden

Fossil fuel plans don't match climate goals: study

Fossil fuel plans don't match climate goals: study
The study compares oil, gas and coal production forecasts from 15 countries to what they need to be for climate change to be kept manageable. It finds those forecasts add up to more than double what's consistent with the goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Fossil fuel plans don't match climate goals: study

PM's consultations on Indigenous ruling questioned

PM's consultations on Indigenous ruling questioned
Time is ticking down on a 30-day legal window for the Liberal government to appeal a decision released by the Federal Court on Sept. 29 upholding rulings by a human rights tribunal around services and compensation for First Nations children.

PM's consultations on Indigenous ruling questioned

Strike notice issued at B.C. medical lab provider

Strike notice issued at B.C. medical lab provider
Workers have been without a contract since April and the union says wages are the main issue, although LifeLabs says on its website that agreement had been reached on key monetary provisions before the union rejected its latest offer.

Strike notice issued at B.C. medical lab provider

Belugas polluted with microplastics through prey

Belugas polluted with microplastics through prey
In the study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, researchers looked at five species of Arctic fish that are regular prey of belugas and found 21 per cent of them had microplastic particles in their gastrointestinal tracts.    

Belugas polluted with microplastics through prey