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Six-hour power outage scheduled for Saturday

Oct. 22 will be second of two planned outages to allow for upgrades
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A power outage on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 10 p.m. will last for six hours. (File photo)

FortisBC is in the process of upgrading its transmission system in Summerland, resulting in two community-wide power outages.

The first outage was on Friday, Oct. 15, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. A second outage is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 22, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Initially the second outage was expected to last until 2 a.m., but FortisBC later stated the two additional hours were needed.

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“As the only electrical feed to our community, maintenance of this transmission line is very important,” said Jeremy Storvold, Summerland’s director of utilities, last week. The power outages will cause some interruptions to some water services and streetlights, he added.

Storvold said planned outages are a reminder for the community to increase their preparedness for extended power and water outages.

Unplanned power outages can happen anytime and are often caused by freezing rain, sleet storms, high winds, animals and motor vehicle accidents.

Power outages can leave residents without heating or air conditioning, lighting, hot water or even running water. Phone and internet service may also be affected.

Those without a battery-powered or crank radio will be unable to monitor news broadcasts during an extended outage.

The municipality urges people to prepare to cope during a power outage for at least three days.

Information on emergency preparation is available from the federal government at www.getprepared.gc.ca.

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John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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