Strong winds, rain knock out power as weather system moves to southern B.C.

High winds and torrential rains knocked out power to several parts of British Columbia overnight as a frontal system pushed south, prompting warnings from Environment Canada.

B.C. Hydro says thousands of people were without power on Vancouver Island, the central Interior and in northern B.C. as the system moved past, although crews had managed to get the lights back on to all but a few thousand by Friday morning.

Environment Canada says Terrace and Kitimat received the most rain at 95 millimetres each, while wind gusts reached 87 km/h in Prince George and 93 km/h in Bella Bella.

The strong frontal system is expected to move out of the province today, but rain warnings have been posted for most of Vancouver Island and Howe Sound with up to another 30 millimetres expected.

Rain, wind war