A thunderstorm has caused a number of power outages across the Kootenays tonight, July 31, with FortisBC crews working to restore power to around 4,800 customers in the Trail, Rossland, Montrose and other communities.
“The outages are due to storm conditions in the area.” said FortisBC.
“Our crews are working to determine the cause of the outage and will then make the necessary repairs to our system.”
“We don’t yet have a time as to when power will be restored. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to restore power safely and as quickly as possible.”
The energy provider said this is a good reminder to be prepared for outages by having an emergency kit with items such as flashlights, a battery operated radio and fresh water on hand in an area that is easily accessible.
“Make sure to stay at least 30 feet away from a downed power line – or the length of a school bus. If you are involved in an accident where poles or wires are involved, it is important to remain calm, stay in your vehicle, dial 9-1-1 and wait until FortisBC can turn off and isolate the power.”
To report an outage, downed wires or poles, please call FortisBC on 1-866-436-7847.
For updates, visit the outage map at https://outages.fortisbc.com/Outages.
“We recognize the inconvenience power outages can have to our customers and appreciate their patience as crews work to restore service safely and as quickly as possible.” said FortisBC.
Meanwhile, lightning strikes have left their mark across this region, with several wildfires added to the B.C. Wildfire Services map.
We will bring you updated information as it comes in.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.
