Power Outage in Quebec
High winds and freezing rain have led to significant power outages across Quebec, with Hydro-Quรฉbec working to restore electricity to affected areas. At the height of the outages, over 200,000 customers were left without power, and as of 2 p.m. today, roughly 100,000 customers still remain in the dark.
In Montreal, fallen trees and branches have contributed to the widespread outages, causing disruptions not only to residential areas but also impacting local schools, some of which have remained closed due to the ongoing power issues.
Hydro-Quรฉbec officials have stated that the large majority of the outages should be resolved by 11 p.m. tonight. However, challenges remain, as Cendrix Bouchard noted, “Just getting to an outage will take longer than usual” due to the hazardous conditions.
In addition to the immediate concerns of power restoration, public health officials are advising residents to take precautions against foodborne and waterborne illnesses during this time. Julie Bromley emphasized, “Power outages can quickly affect food safety and water systems,” highlighting the importance of being cautious with food storage and water consumption.
Meanwhile, 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 region as of 9 a.m. Thursday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has warned that local utility outages are possible, and damage to roofs, fences, branches, or soft shelters may occur due to the severe weather conditions. Wind gusts have reached up to 90 kilometres per hour in the eastern Fraser Valley, compounding the challenges faced by utility companies.
As restoration efforts continue in both Quebec and British Columbia, officials are urging residents to stay informed and prepared for further developments. The situation remains dynamic, and details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for complete restoration.
