A significant power outage affected parts of Coquitlam and nearby communities in British Columbia on Monday, September 21, 2026, after BC Hydro reported outages associated with a transmission-circuit failure.

The interruption prompted residents across parts of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam to report sudden power loss and flickering lights. Community reports indicated that some customers experienced only brief interruptions, while other areas were affected by a larger outage footprint.

BC Hydro crews were involved in assessing the situation as the utility worked to determine the extent of the interruption and restore electricity to affected customers.

Transmission Circuit Failure Reported

Information shared by BC Hydro’s outage system indicated that the Coquitlam-area interruptions were connected to a transmission circuit failure. The specific equipment involved and the underlying cause of the failure were not immediately detailed in the available reports.

Transmission and distribution faults can affect customers across a broad area because electricity networks are interconnected. BC Hydro notes that outages can have several causes, including equipment failures, weather-related problems, vehicle incidents, animals and other events affecting its infrastructure.

Residents Report Power Interruptions

Residents in several Coquitlam-area neighbourhoods reported losing electricity or experiencing noticeable flickering.

Some community members said their electricity returned after only several minutes, while others reported seeing a larger outage area on the BC Hydro outage map. These reports indicate that the impact was not necessarily identical across every part of Coquitlam.

The outage also affected customers in parts of nearby Port Coquitlam, according to community reports.

BC Hydro Crews Investigate

Utility crews are responsible for locating the source of an electrical fault, assessing damaged equipment and carrying out repairs before circuits can safely be re-energized.

BC Hydro explains that restoration times depend on the cause and extent of the problem. In some circumstances, crews can temporarily transfer customers to another circuit while repairs are completed.

The utility’s outage system remains the appropriate source for current information about affected areas, crew status and estimated restoration times.

Traffic and Electrical Safety

Power outages can affect traffic signals and other electrically powered infrastructure. Drivers approaching intersections where signals are not functioning should slow down and proceed cautiously.

Residents should also avoid approaching any downed or damaged electrical line. BC Hydro advises people to stay at least 10 metres away from a fallen power line and call 911.

People using generators should operate them outdoors and away from doors, windows and other openings to reduce the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning.

How Coquitlam Residents Can Check the Outage

Residents experiencing a power interruption can check BC Hydro’s outage list and map for the latest information. If an outage is not listed, BC Hydro advises customers to report it online or by calling 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376).

The City of Coquitlam also maintains an online alert centre for municipal emergencies and other public notices.

Restoration Efforts Continue

The full impact and cause of the transmission-circuit failure may become clearer as BC Hydro completes its assessment.

Residents and businesses affected by the Coquitlam power outage should continue monitoring official BC Hydro updates for restoration information and any changes to the estimated return of service.

As crews work through the affected circuits, customers are encouraged to remain cautious around electrical infrastructure and rely on verified utility information rather than unconfirmed outage reports circulating online.