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UPDATE: Power restored for majority of people in Greater Victoria following snow storm

Close to 10,000 were in the dark Thursday morning
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The lights are back on for the majority of Greater Victoria residents, after Wednesday night’s snowstorm left close to 10,000 without power.

The majority of impacted people and businesses were in North Saanich, Sidney, Saanich, and Langford according to BC Hydro. The largest outages were caused by down trees, with some smaller ones the result of birds landing on wires, car crashes, and equipment problems.

As of 3 p.m., close to 400 customers remain without power in the region.

The largest remaining outages are in Saanich. South of Carolwood Drive, west of Faithwood Road, north of Valewood Trail, and east of Emily Carr Drive, 194 customers are without power. Right next door, another 130 customers are affected south of Cottontree Lane, north of Valewood Trail, east of Thistlewood Drive, and west of Copsewood Place.

The snow storm is named as the cause.

At Willis Point, 59 customers have been without power since 1:17 a.m. The cause there remains under investigation.

Outages in the 300-block of Hector Road in Saanich and 0-block of Chief Robert Sam Lane in Esquimalt are affecting fewer than 10 customers each. The snow storm is blamed for the Esquimalt outage, while the Saanich one remains under investigation.

READ ALSO: Heavy snowfall closes schools, cancels transit across Greater Victoria

READ ALSO: Unprepared drivers told to avoid travel as crews clear snow-laden Greater Victoria roads

More outages are possible throughout the day as Environment Canada has forecast freezing rain for the region Thursday. The weather agency warns that roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

“If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop,” it said in its weather statement.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Snow blankets Greater Victoria


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