Electricity has been restored to 1,804 homes and businesses in Williams Lake and the nearby Dog Creek area after an unexpected outage disrupted service for just over two hours on Monday, August 11, 2025. The outage, which began late in the morning, affected both residential and commercial customers.
According to BC Hydro, the incident started when a delivery truck traveling on Wotzke Drive accidentally pulled down communication lines. This action tripped the disconnects on a nearby power pole, cutting electricity to a wide section of the local grid. The utility company quickly dispatched crews to assess the damage and begin repair work.
Technicians arrived on-site within a short time, inspecting the affected lines and poles. They worked quickly to ensure there was no damage to the electrical system that could pose a safety hazard. After confirming the system was secure, they reconnected power to all affected areas by around 2:30 p.m.
Local officials confirmed that the event did not cause any injuries or damage to the delivery vehicle. Williams Lake Fire Chief Evan Dean noted that while the truck’s contact with the lines was enough to trigger the safety disconnects, the quick response from BC Hydro crews helped minimize disruption to the community.
The outage impacted a mix of residential neighborhoods and small businesses, many of which rely heavily on consistent power for daily operations. Some residents reported that they were preparing for a longer interruption but were relieved when service resumed earlier than expected.
For BC Hydro, this incident serves as another example of how unplanned events can quickly lead to power interruptions. The company maintains a network of crews and monitoring systems across the province to respond rapidly to outages. Safety features such as disconnects on power poles are designed to prevent more serious damage or danger when lines are struck or pulled.
While power cuts are often caused by storms, equipment failure, or wildlife interference, accidental contact with lines from vehicles remains a known risk, particularly in areas where delivery trucks or construction vehicles operate close to overhead infrastructure. BC Hydro regularly reminds drivers to be aware of their surroundings when operating near power lines, especially in residential and commercial districts with low-hanging wires.
Residents are also encouraged to treat any downed or sagging wires as dangerous, even if they appear inactive. The safest course of action is to stay at least 10 meters away and immediately contact the utility provider. This precaution helps prevent potential electric shock or other hazards.
The quick restoration in Williams Lake and Dog Creek highlights the importance of well-trained crews and established safety procedures. In rural and semi-rural areas, power reliability can be more challenging due to the distances between substations and customer locations. Effective response times depend on both crew readiness and accessible road routes to reach damaged infrastructure.
BC Hydro’s public outage map, which provides live updates on service interruptions, played a role in keeping affected customers informed during the incident. Many residents checked the online tool to track progress and estimated restoration times, reducing uncertainty while repairs were underway.
Though this outage was short-lived, it is a reminder of the need for emergency preparedness. Officials recommend that households keep flashlights, extra batteries, and a small supply of non-perishable food and water available in case of extended outages. Businesses are encouraged to maintain backup plans for refrigeration, payment systems, and other essential services.
With power now restored, Williams Lake and Dog Creek residents are back to their normal routines. BC Hydro thanked customers for their patience and cooperation during the repair process. The company also reiterated its safety advice to drivers and residents, stressing the importance of avoiding any contact with utility lines.
