Severe Weather Causes Power Outages in Quebec
The province of Quebec is currently grappling with significant power outages resulting from a combination of freezing rain and high winds. This severe weather has led to fallen trees and branches, particularly in urban areas like Montreal, disrupting the lives of many residents.
At the height of the outages, over 200,000 customers were without electricity. As of 2 p.m. today, that number has been reduced to approximately 100,000 customers, but the situation remains critical as Hydro-Québec works to restore power.
Hydro-Québec has mobilized 550 teams to address the outages and restore service as quickly as possible. The utility company is facing challenges due to the extent of the damage caused by the weather, with some areas being particularly difficult to access. Cendrix Bouchard, a spokesperson for Hydro-Québec, noted, “Just getting to an outage will take longer than usual,” highlighting the logistical difficulties posed by the storm.
In addition to the power outages, some schools in southern Quebec have remained closed due to poor road conditions and the ongoing lack of electricity. The impact of the freezing rain has been widespread, affecting daily activities and prompting concerns among residents.
Quebec Premier François Legault has acknowledged the struggles faced by many during this challenging time. He stated, “I understand that some people have been without power for several hours,” and reassured the public that, “The vast majority of power outages should be resolved by 11 p.m. tonight.” This statement provides some hope for those still waiting for their electricity to be restored.
As of 2:40 p.m., approximately 96,417 addresses were still without power, a significant decrease from the 209,795 reported early Thursday morning. The weather conditions have been severe, with reports indicating that about 21 millimetres of rain were recorded overnight, contributing to the hazardous conditions.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, and residents are urged to stay informed about updates from Hydro-Québec and local authorities. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for complete restoration of services.