UPDATE: According to Fortis BC, 586 customers are still without power in the Central Okanagan and Kootenay region. For those still without power in Lake Country, estimated time of fixing power is 9 p.m. In Peachland, less than five customers are still without power. Estimated time on is also 9 p.m. Vernon and West Kelowna have the greatest number of customers still without power: estimated time on is 9 p.m. Click here for a detailed look at regional areas.

Photo Credit: Fortis BC





Photo Credit: BC Hydro

UPDATE: (12:50 pm) FortisBC confirms that power has been restored to homes in Rutland, the majority of Glenmore, Joe Rich, Naramata, Big White and Kaleden. The snow storm in the Central Okanagan is being blamed for the various outages that kept crews busy Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, BC Hydro reports that 4,600 people are still out of power in Coldstream, Lake Country, Vernon, Peachland, Summerland and West Kelowna. Hydro is now estimated that power will be restored to these areas as of 4:00 p.m. Latest updates and information can be found online here.

UPDATE: (8:20 am) BC Hydro has confirmed that the power outages are due heavy snow fall bringing wires down. There are also trees on power lines causing problems. More than 6,000 customers are now without power and this number now includes Vernon, Lumby and Coldstream.

Power is expected to restored to customers in Vernon by 10:30 a.m., in Coldstream, Peachland and Summerland at 10:00 a.m.

UPDATE: (8:00 am)

Power has been restored to most customers in Rutland; working to restore power to Big White/ Joe Rich. Thx for patience. — FortisBC (@FortisBC) November 26, 2014

UPDATE: According to FortisBC another 2,000 people are without power in Rutland, 2,000 in Big White and 500 in the Penticton/Naramata area.

Original story:

The power is out for many residents in the central Okanagan and this snowfall may be to blame.

According to BC Hydro there are widespread power failures from West Kelowna almost all the way to Penticton. More than 4,000 people are without power Wednesday morning including in Lake Country, Peachland, Summerland and West Kelowna. The power outages first began at 3:45 a.m. in West Kelowna and the estimated time power will be restored there is 7:00 a.m.

In Peachland and Summerland the power has been off since 4:45 a.m., and the power is expected to be restored by 8:00 a.m. In Lake Country more than 100 people have been without power since 5:30 a.m., but BC Hydro expects that to be restored by 9:00 a.m. All causes of power failure are still under investigation.