Severe Windstorm Hits Chilliwack
A powerful windstorm struck Chilliwack, British Columbia, on March 11-12, 2026, causing significant damage and leaving over 14,000 BC Hydro customers without power.
Wind gusts in the area reached up to 90 km/h, with forecasts suggesting gusts could climb as high as 100 km/h across the eastern Fraser Valley. The storm prompted Environment Canada to issue a yellow weather warning for wind on March 11.
In response to the severe weather conditions, five schools in Chilliwack were closed, including Sardis Secondary, which was affected by a power outage and deemed unsafe for learning. The school district stated, “Due to last night’s severe weather conditions, Sardis Secondary is currently without power, and BC Hydro has not yet provided a timeline for restoration.”
As of March 12, BC Hydro reported that over 21,000 customers were without power across the Eastern Fraser Valley, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.
The safety and comfort of students and staff remains a priority for the school district, which is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.
This windstorm marks one of the most severe weather events to hit the region in recent years, causing disruptions not only to education but also to daily life for thousands of residents.
Officials are working to restore power and assess the damage caused by the storm, with updates expected as recovery efforts continue.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for power restoration, as crews work diligently to address the outages.
Residents are advised to stay informed through local news and official channels as the situation evolves in the aftermath of this significant weather event.