After any emergency or disaster we can expect to have a disruption of or lose our utility services completely. This may be for a few hours, a few days, weeks or even months, as we have witnessed in areas around the world when they have been hit by a major disaster. Residents should be prepared for these types of incidents. 

Power Outage

If you experience a power outage notify BC Hydro at

1 888 POWERON (1 888 769-3766)

You will be requested to provide your address and telephone number as well as any information that you have regarding the power outage.

Electricity is a part of our everyday lives and must be treated with respect. If you are around power lines, you need to:​

  • LOOK UP & DOWN

Prevent electrical contact. 

Identify overhead and underground power lines.

  • STAY BACK AND CALL FOR HELP 

Stay back 10 metres (33 feet) from a fallen power line, exposed underground power line or any object in contact with a line.

Call for Help. Do not attempt a rescue until directed by BC Hydro personnel.

If your vehicle contacts a line, stay put until help arrives. If it's a life threatening situation, jump clear of your vehicle, feet firmly together, and shuffle away keeping both feet close together. Never contact the ground and your vehicle at the same time.

  • PLAN AHEAD TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT

​Call before you dig. BC One Call's number is 1 800 474 6886 (*6886 on your cell)
 

What to do in the case of electrical contact

Is there an immediate threat to life or a fire?

  • If the answer is YES, call 911. They will contact BC Hydro to shut off the power.
  • If the answer is NO, call 1 888 POWERON (769 3766 or *49376) to have BC Hydro shut off the power.

For more information link to ­BCHydro.

Natural Gas Leak

If you smell or hear a natural gas leak call 911 and report the incident. Dispatch will call the Gas Company as well as the appropriate first responders to the incident.

What does natural gas smell like?

Rotten eggs: a bad smell for a good reason

Natural gas and piped propane smell like rotten eggs or sulphur. Natural gas is actually odourless, but we add trace amounts of a chemical called mercaptan, which has a distinctive rotten egg or sulphur-like odour. It smells bad for a good reason! In case of a leak, we want you to be able to detect and identify it. (For more information, go to the Fortis BC Gas Leak Website

​What to do if you smell gas

If you smell gas or hear the flow of escaping gas

  • Get out fast! Leave the building, leave the door open and any windows that may already be open.
  • Don’t use your cell phone or landline while you are in the building. Don’t smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, or create any other source of ignition.
  • Once you are clear of the building call 911 immediately. Fortis also has a 24-hour Emergency Line: 1-800-663-9911 
  • Do not turn off your main gas valve unless instructed to do so. 
     

Sewer Or Water Main Leak

If you experience a sewer leak, storm drain leak or water main leak. contact the Oak Bay Public Works at 250-598-4501. You will be requested to describe the nature of the emergency and give the location/address of the incident.

The after-hours emergency number for Oak Bay Public Works is the Oak Bay  Fire Department at 250-592-9121.