B.C. storm brings high wind warnings, 2,000 users have no power

Strong winds are hitting the coast of B.C. today leaving 2,000 hydro customers, mostly on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, without power.

More than 8,800 customers were without power around 3:30 p.m. PT Saturday before it was restored to many.

Gusts are expected to hit up to 80 kilometres per hour and to be most intense on the coast, as the "intense Pacific frontal system," moves inland, according to Environment Canada's website.

We are still not out of the woods- Courtenay CEO David Allen

B.C. Ferries have cancelled services between Comox and Powell River due to high winds.

People on Vancouver Island are reporting high winds, rain and there are some floods in Courtenay.

City and B.C. Hydro officials met Saturday morning to decide whether to upgrade warnings, but decided the threat of flooding is waning.

"It's looking better than we anticipated, but we are still not out of the woods," said Dave Allen, the chief administrative officer of the city of Courtenay told CBC. "It's looking pretty serious right now, but we will keep our fingers crossed."

More rain is expected Monday, and high tides can also push water up river, he said.

A mix of snow with the rain at higher elevations has decreased the flood risk, as the precipitation is not all turning into liquid at once, Allen added.

"There have been reports of basements and crawl spaces flooding, but that's to be expected."

A year ago a flood hit the same area, so this year Courtenay officials were prepared.

About 440 metres of "aqua-dam" was placed adjacent to Comox Rd. and the Old Island Highway to protect the industrial park and prevent road closures from water cresting over the highway.