Tofino in the dark: Community coping without power

Many Tofinohomes and businesses have been without electricityfor two days, but the community is rallying to keep spirits bright.

BC Hydro crews are actively trying to restore power to the area after the town went dark during a severe windstorm at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning, according to Tofino's mayor Josie Osborne.

• Thousands still without power across B.C.'s south coast

Osborne said power hasreturned to some homes and hotels and in the meantime, locals are making the best of a tough situation.

"We are a resilient lot helping each other out and making do," said Osborne.

Impromptu community feast

Staff at Lil'Ronnie's Backyard BBQ decided the power outage wasthe perfect time to cook up a free feast.

Co-owner Matt Oakesrealized there was no way to keep all the meat he had in storage from spoiling, so staff decided to grill it all up and throw an impromptu free feast for the community.

"Everyone's fridges are down," said Oakes. "So being able to do this is the perfect solution."

Oakes said 150 people had already arrived to dine before 5 p.m., and he wasexpecting more people to show up and share in the sausages, brisket and chili Lil' Ronniesis serving up.

According to Oakes, many of the diners are locals and for him, the feast feels like a nice way to give back.

Phenomenal storm watching

And for visitors who flock to the coastal town to storm watch, the last two days havebeen 'phenomenal' viewing,according to Charles McDiarmid, managing director of the WickanninishInn.

"Our cup is overflowing with storm watching activity," said McDiarmid.

He said many people headedto the shore once it wassafeto watch largewaves crash on the beach.

TheWickanninishlost power on Thursday for about 18 hours, butMcDiarmidsaid on-site generators maintainedpower at the resort's restaurants, though rooms were in the dark. Some guests dined by candlelight.

"Guests are loving it. It's been very romantic," he said.

Some surfers are also enjoying the big waves the stormy weather has whipped up.

According to Osborne, storm conditions meanexperienced surfers can ride at beaches where normally the waves are not adequate, like Tonquin Beach near downtown.

Osborne is grateful to those working around the clock to get the lights back on. She said hydro crews are working to restorepower to the community's hospital, which is functioning ongenerator power.

BC Hydro spokesperson Tanya Fish said Thursday's wind storm was one of the most severe storms to hit the province in 20 years.

According to Fish, 600,000 British Columbianslost power during the storm.