UPDATE: BC Hydro reported Sunday afternoon that most of the Tri-Cities without power won't have electricity restored until 12:30 a.m. Monday.
A powerful storm this afternoon (Saturday) knocked down trees and shut down power for thousands of residents and busineses in the Tri-Cities.
City and emergency personnel in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody advised commuters to stay home as the gusts made for dangerous conditions on the roads, which were strewn with branches and leaves and, in some spots, trees.
As of 4:45 p.m., electricity in most parts of the three municipalities was still off with at least 400,000 homes in Metro Vancouver dark.
Several businesses took to social media to report early closures for the day; however, many people flooded into the Coquitlam Centre mall looking for relief.
Outdoor pools and recreation centres were also shuttered for safety reasons and events such as the Port Coquitlam music show in Leigh Square and charity bike rides were cancelled (the BCHL exhibition game between the Coquitlam Express and Langley Rivermen is still scheduled to happen at 7 p.m. tonight at the Port Coquitlam rec centre, the city reported).
A BC Hydro spokesperson said the agency is doing its best to restore the power. The Crown corporation is also asking people to stay 10 m back from fallen hydro lines.
