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POWER OUTAGE

OVERVIEW

A power outage can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days, and often arrives alongside another emergency like a winter storm, windstorm, wildfire, or earthquake.

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Most outages are caused by weather. According to BC Hydro, adverse weather, especially wind and falling trees or branches, causes more than half of all power outages in the province. BC's storm season usually runs from November to March, so outages often hit in winter, when losing heat and power is most dangerous.

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For Mainland Coast Salish communities, an outage is rarely just about the lights going out. It can leave a household or community without heat, hot water, water pumps, and medical equipment. For remote or single-road communities, repair crews may take longer to arrive, so an outage can last well beyond a few hours.

Image by Maxim Tolchinskiy

PREPAREDNESS

Because power outages often arrive without warning and can last from hours to days, the best time to prepare is well before one happens. 

Communications

A power outage can disrupt cell towers, internet, and landlines. Alternatives for communication can be essential in providing information to community members and collaborating with outside assistance.

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Door-to-door notifications, public message boards, and community meetings can all be options. Licensed amateur (ham) radio operator volunteers, often organized through groups like the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), (HOLISTIC Emily) can relay messages between the community, emergency officials, and neighbouring Nations when normal networks are down. Identifying who holds a licence locally and building them into your emergency plan can be a beneficial addition.

Generators

During an extended power outage, it is important to keep essential services running, such as health centres, band offices, designated warming centres, and gathering spaces.

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Before an event, generators can be sourced through local suppliers, and funding may be available through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) or Indigenous Services Canada's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP). Because eligibility varies by program, it is worth confirming with your EMCR Southwest Region office before purchasing. Generators should be fuelled, tested, and maintained before the season starts, and staff should know how to run them safely.

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During an active emergency, a generator used to run your EOC or a warming centre may be reimbursable by EMCR once your Emergency Operations Centre is activated and you have a task number.

Dual Hazards

Power outages can happen alongside other hazards, such as winter storms, windstorms, wildfires, and earthquakes. An effective response to an extended power outage will consider the unique impacts of the other hazard and adjust accordingly. For example, a winter storm adds the danger of cold and blocked roads, a wildfire may force evacuation, and an earthquake may bring structural damage and aftershocks. When hazards layer, outside help may be stretched thin and slower to arrive, which heightens the importance of preparedness.

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For more information about other hazards, please visit:

PREPAREDNESS

An emergency kit lets your household get through the first stretch of an outage without going out in the dark or cold. BC Hydro recommends preparing to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, and including:

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  • Water (four litres per person per day).

  • Food (non-perishable, ready-to-eat food, plus a manual can opener).

  • Light and power (flashlights, extra batteries, power bank).

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

  • First aid and medications.

  • Warm clothing, blankets, and extra socks.

  • A whistle, cash in small bills, and copies of important documents.

  • Supplies for infants, Elders, family members with medical or mobility needs, and pets.

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Store the kit somewhere everyone can find in the dark, and check it once a year to replace anything used or expired.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Providing financial assistance for water conservation home upgrades (e.g. water meters, rain barrels, tap aerators) can be effective ways for the community to reduce water consumption.

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Many rebates and subsidies are already available, and may be applicable to your community.

EMCR Task Number

Communities experiencing emergencies may be eligible to obtain an Emergency Management and Climate Readiness task number through the Southwest Region EMCR.

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A task number will enable your community to be compensated for resources spent on response. 

Evacuation

While an emergency evacuation due to drought is unlikely, putting plans in place for the scenario can help ensure a timely and smooth response.

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For information about evacuations, please visit our Evacuations page.

HOW WE CAN HELP

We support 31 communities, from Yale to Semiahmoo to Squamish, in improving emergency planning and preparedness at the local and regional levels. 

 

In an emergency, we can:

  • Provide surge support to administration and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

  • Assist with the coordination of resources to communities.

  • Facilitate coordination communication with affected community members and partners.

 

Before an emergency, we can:

  • Assist with project engagement for emergency-related projects.

  • Coordinate discussions and collaborative efforts between communities, governments and other agencies.

  • Assist in communications and information management for  contracts, projects and initiatives throughout the regional levels.

  • Assist in developing community emergency plans and preparedness toolkits for application during emergency situations.

 

Our vision is to have all of the 31 Mainland Coast Salish First Nations, from Yale to Squamish to Semiahmoo, resilient to existing and future disasters.

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