‘Extensive damage’ to B.C.’s Highway 3 to Alberta, as latest storm cuts power

Article contentVANCOUVER — The British Columbia government says it’s uncertain when a stretch of major highway linking the Lower Mainland to Alberta will reopen after last week’s atmospheric river rainfall event destroyed and damaged culverts and washed away a portion of roadway.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe Ministry of Transportation said Wednesday that 22 locations along Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton were damaged, including 11 sites where the damage was “extensive.”Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article content“The damage includes five culvert failures resulting in partial road washouts,” the ministry statement said. “These sites require excavation and full culvert replacement.”Article contentArticle contentThe ministry also said that another site discovered Tuesday suffered a blocked culvert, and water has “undermined and washed away a portion of the highway and roadside barrier.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“The damage at the new site is substantial but cannot be fully assessed until slope conditions stabilize and crews have safe access,” the update said.Article contentThe repairs have been further challenged by ongoing harsh weather, with a snowfall warning in effect Wednesday due to a system that also brought heavy rain and high winds across southern B.C.Article contentThousands of people across the province lost power Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, as gusts exceeding 100 kilometres an hour in some communities brought down trees and power lines.Article contentBC Hydro said in a statement that the windstorm knocked out power for about 120,000 customers, mostly in the Lower Mainland, although it was gradually being restored and 60 per cent had their electricity back by midday Wednesday.Article contentThe utility said at one point more than 18,000 were without electricity in Surrey, while Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Maple Ridge and North Vancouver all saw more than 10,000 customers affected.Article contentArticle content“While crews have made good progress replacing power lines, poles and other electrical equipment damaged by vegetation, they have encountered challenges in some areas that have slowed progress,” BC Hydro said in a release, noting issues including heavy debris on roads that hampered access.Article content“BC Hydro thanks customers for their patience and understanding as crews work to restore power.”Article contentEnvironment Canada said maximum gusts overnight reached 102 km/h at both Point Atkinson in West Vancouver and in Hope, with Vancouver International Airport reporting wind speeds up to 76 km/h.Article contentBC Hydro has said that “all available crews and contractors have been mobilized” to restore power.Article contentWithout lights, some schools across Metro Vancouver and the rest of B.C. were forced to cancel classes for the day on Wednesday, including all schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows as well as some in Langley, Abbotsford, Kootenay-Columbia and Kootenay Lake.Article contentEnvironment Canada said the wind storm arrived on the heels of a cold front that moved through the area, bringing heavy rain and major flood warnings in the Fraser Valley.Trending 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

Personal Finance Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Article contentCoquitlam received more than 70 millimetres of rain, Rocky Point Park in Port Moody received almost 64 millimetres and Maple Ridge, Agassiz, Burnaby, and Chilliwack all reported in excess of 50 millimetres.Article contentEnvironment Canada said the weather woes continued in the Interior, where a number of highways have been affected by heavy snowfall or winter storm conditions, in addition to the stretch of Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton.Article contentWinter storm warnings have been posted for Highway 1 from Sicamous to Golden and Highway 3 from Grand Forks to Creston where up to 30 centimetres of snow was expected WednesdayArticle contentThis report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.Article contentShare this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

Personal Finance Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas