With storm season approaching, preparing for power outages helps keep customers safe

With storm season approaching, preparing for power outages helps keep customers safe

Oct 29, 2026

While FortisBC prepares year-round for severe weather, customers can take steps to prepare too

KELOWNA, B.C.-October 29, 2026: Powerful fall and winter storms that impact B.C.'s Southern Interior can bring trees down across the electrical system, damage equipment and disrupt service across multiple communities. While FortisBC works year-round to prepare for severe weather events, customers can also take steps to help protect themselves and their properties.

"Most power outages are restored relatively quickly, but major storms can create additional challenges, sometimes leading to longer or more widespread outages," said Ada Nadison, public safety manager at FortisBC. "That's why preparing before severe weather arrives is so important. Taking a few simple steps now can help customers stay safe and better manage an outage should one occur."

Trees coming down on power lines are one of the leading causes of power outages across FortisBC's electrical system, contributing to more than 100,000 hours of outage time annually. Combined with high winds, heavy snowfall and other severe weather common during fall and winter, storms can cause widespread damage that requires a coordinated response to safely restore service.

In advance of storm season, customers should:

• build or refresh an emergency kit with food, water, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies and other essential items to support every member of your household for at least 72 hours during a power outage
• charge cell phones, power banks and backup batteries before severe weather arrives
• identify alternative power sources or arrangements for medical devices and other essential electrical equipment
• learn how to manually operate garage doors, gates and other powered entry systems before an outage occurs
• stay informed by signing up for outage notifications and checking the FortisBC mobile app and outage map for updates

FortisBC's efforts to help reduce outage risk and improve system reliability include vegetation management around power lines, maintaining and upgrading electrical infrastructure and preparing crews and response plans for severe weather events.

When severe weather damages electrical infrastructure, restoring power can involve more than a single repair. Major storms can affect multiple parts of the electrical system at once, requiring crews to assess damage and complete repairs before service can be fully restored. As crews assess conditions and identify additional damage, estimated restoration times may change, particularly during widespread outages.

The potential for extended outages is one reason why FortisBC encourages customers to prepare before storm season. Having a plan and emergency supplies on hand can help households stay safe and better manage an outage should severe weather strike.

"While every storm is different, significant weather events can create more complex outages than customers may experience day to day," said Nadison. "Having an emergency kit, charging devices ahead of severe weather and making a plan for essential electrical equipment can help ensure you and your family are equipped when an outage occurs, whether it's big or small, short or extended."

Storms can also leave dangerous electrical hazards behind. Customers should always assume a downed power line is energized, stay at least 10 metres away, about the length of a school bus, and call 911 or FortisBC immediately. Never touch or attempt to move a tree, branch or any other object that is in contact with a power line.

Customers can find the latest outage information and estimated restoration times through FortisBC's outage map, and information on emergency preparedness at fortisbc.com/safety and PreparedBC.

To report a power outage or electrical emergency, call FortisBC's 24-hour emergency line at 1-866-436-7847.

Link to supporting photos and video: FortisBC Brandfolder

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