Blackouts in Kitimat and Terrace after small B.C. towns buried in heavy snowfall

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KITIMAT, B.C. — The northern British Columbia communities of Kitimat and Terrace are buried in nearly two metres of snow, as a stormy Pineapple Express weather system continues to pummel the B.C. coast.

About 168 centimetres of snow fell on Kitimat between 4 p.

m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Saturday, while 159 centimetres fell in Terrace during the same time period.

More than 1,600 BC Hydro customers were without power as of Saturday afternoon, while many businesses were shuttered and residents were warned to stay home.

The District of Kitimat brought in private contractors to help with road clearing and its Emergency Operations Centre was opened Friday night in order to organize extra equipment.

Environment Canada says the heavy snowfall just fell short of breaking 24-hour records, as 109 cm fell in Kitimat over 24 hours and the previous record was 112.3 centimetres on Feb. 18, 1972.

Meanwhile the federal agency issued a rainfall warning for Howe Sound, with between 30 to 50 millimetres of rain expected to drench the south coast Saturday evening.