Did the Power Go Out? Your Southern Gulf Islands Survival Guide
On the Southern Gulf Islands, you’ll find we tend to lean into a slower pace of life, especially during the fall and winter months. With the shorter days and rainy weather, this is a cozy season—the perfect time to disconnect and find a bit of peace and quiet.
But the rainy season also means storm season. There are times when the disconnection is more forced. Rural communities, including the Southern Gulf Islands, are inherently more likely to experience a power outage than urban areas. It’s part of the charm of rural living.
What Should You Do in a Power Outage?
If you happen to be visiting when the power goes out, the good news is that there is no need to panic. In most cases, power outages last only a few hours. Unless it’s an especially wide outage, BC Hydro crews get to work immediately, and you’ll be back online with the lights on in no time.
You can always check BC Hydro’s power outage map to see if the outage has been reported and, if so, whether a crew has been assigned to tackle it. This is the best place to find up-to-date information on the issue. If your area doesn’t appear, call 1-800-BCHYDRO or report it online.
Chances are, you are also staying at a hotel or vacation rental. Get in touch with the front desk or host for assistance. If you’re worried about the outage or have questions about protocol, your hosts will gladly assist. You’ll be surprised at how many accommodations keep a stash of solar lights and flashlights ready for situations like this.
And what about dinner? What about your groceries stored in the fridge? Do your best to keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. With the door closed, your goods will stay cold for at least four hours, and the freezer will remain frozen for up to two days.
It’s also exceedingly rare that an entire island will be hit with the same outage. Check the BC Hydro map to find out if any local restaurants have power. With luck, if you’re willing to drive for a few minutes, you could find a bite to eat.
Tap into Your Self-Reliance
Power outages are rare, but they do occur, especially during the stormy fall and winter seasons. For those who live here, it’s just a part of island life and why many of us are comfortable being self-reliant.
No matter where you travel, preparing for the unexpected is always a good idea. While the Southern Gulf Islands aren’t so remote that you’ll need anything like an emergency flare or a satellite radio, you may want to pack a few extra items if you’re heading here, just in case.
Offline Games and Activities
This is especially true if you have kids in tow. You’ll want to have a few options at hand if the internet goes down. Think about crafts, board games, puzzles, and books. At the very least, they can entertain the crew on the ferry ride over.
Battery or Solar-Powered Lights
A headlamp or solar-powered light tucked away in your car is always a good idea, even if you aren’t coming to the Southern Gulf Islands. You’ll never know when you’ll need extra light on a late-night dog walk or, in this case, around a dinner table if the power is out.
Power Bank
It’s not an absolute necessity, but having a power bank around to keep your phone charged can be handy during an outage. At the very least, you can keep up with the latest BC Hydro updates.
Snacks
Even if you plan to buy every meal while you’re visiting, we suggest bringing a few extra snacks along. The snack rule is a given for parents, but even for adults, a hangry moment can strike anytime. When the power goes out, and dinner won’t be on time, these emergency snacks will help tide you over.
It’s All Part of the Adventure
There is an art to doing nothing, and there may be no better way to discover it than when the power has gone out. In fact, with the right mindset, there is actually a beautiful lesson in a power outage. It’s a forced break from social media. It ensures we aren’t wasting away scrolling through someone else’s life. Instead, we can focus on being more present in the here and now, making memories to last a lifetime.
If the power is out during the day, it’s time to get outside and explore. Provided it’s not especially stormy, you can hike at one of the regional parks, head down to the beach to see what the tide has swept in, or make a loop around the local farm stands in your area.
At night, throw on an extra sweater and gather around for an evening of offline fun. You may find a puzzle or deck of cards stashed at your rental. Or you’ll suddenly find yourself with time to truly get lost in your book.
Yes, a power outage may disrupt your carefully planned Southern Gulf Island schedule, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pivot. Stay open to the adventure, be in the moment, and go with the flow, whatever it may bring.
Written by Jessica McKeil
