Ferries cancelled, power restored to thousands on Vancouver Island following storm

More than 6,000 people were without power on Vancouver Island Thursday morning as the first of several storms swept along B.C.'s coast.

By 9 a.m., 6,329 people had lost power on the island, mostly in the Mid and North Island, with the hardest hit communities including Nanaimo, Parksville and Courtenay.

Power was restored to most customers by Thursday afternoon.

The energy provider says it's doing its best to prepare for stormy conditions which are expected to continue into Thursday in some parts of the island, and return this weekend and early next week.

Rainfall warnings are still in effect for West Vancouver Island and North Vancouver Island, while a wind warning is active for East Vancouver Island.

The stormy conditions began Wednesday evening and are expected to persist until the end of day Thursday.

In West Vancouver Island, 50 to 60 millimetres of rain is expected to fall Thursday. By the end of the day, Environment Canada predicts that this region will have seen about 100 to 150 millimetres of rainfall over a 48-hour period.

"The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall," said Environment Canada.

"Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Avoid driving through water on roads," said the weather agency.