Power Outage in Quebec
High winds and freezing rain have led to significant power outages across Quebec, affecting thousands of residents. At the peak of the situation, more than 200,000 customers were without electricity as fallen trees and branches disrupted power lines, particularly in Montreal.
As of 2 p.m., Hydro-Québec reported that approximately 100,000 customers still remained without power. The utility company is actively working to restore electricity, with officials stating that the majority of outages should be resolved by 11 p.m. today.
In addition to the power outages, some schools in southern Quebec have been closed due to the ongoing situation. Local authorities are advising residents to take precautions, particularly regarding food safety and water systems, as power outages can quickly affect these essential services. Julie Bromley from public health emphasized the importance of these precautions, stating, “Power outages can quickly affect food safety and water systems.”
Meanwhile, the situation is compounded by severe weather conditions in other regions. In the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, tens of thousands of homes and businesses are also experiencing power outages due to a windstorm. Chilliwack has been particularly hard hit, with BC Hydro reporting fewer than 20,000 customers without power in the area as of 9 a.m. Thursday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has warned that local utility outages are possible and that damage to roofs, fences, and trees could occur due to the high winds, which have reached gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour in the eastern Fraser Valley.
As restoration efforts continue, residents are urged to remain patient and stay informed about updates from local utility providers. Cendrix Bouchard, a spokesperson for Hydro-Québec, noted, “Just getting to an outage will take longer than usual,” highlighting the challenges faced by repair crews in these conditions.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available. The community is encouraged to check in on neighbors and assist those who may be vulnerable during this challenging time.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of damage and the timeline for complete restoration of services. Residents are advised to stay tuned for further announcements from Hydro-Québec and local authorities.