A severe power outage has left over 300,000 Hydro-Québec customers without electricity across various regions in Quebec, primarily due to strong winds. The most affected area is Montérégie, where more than 88,000 addresses are currently without power.
In Lanaudière, there have been 187 interruptions affecting over 65,000 households. Montreal is also facing significant disruptions, with approximately 29,000 households experiencing outages. Schools in several regions, including the CSS du Pays-des-Bleuets, have suspended classes due to the power outages.
The outages were triggered by wind gusts reaching up to 90 km/h, and even 120 km/h in areas like Gaspésie. “De forts vents soufflent actuellement sur une bonne partie du Québec. Les rafales peuvent atteindre jusqu’à 90 km/h, et même 120 km/h à certains endroits comme en Gaspésie,” said Paule Veilleux-Turcotte.
Hydro-Québec has deployed more than 1,100 workers to restore service as quickly as possible. Jean-Boulet stated, “Hydro‑Québec gère actuellement la situation alors que les fortes rafales ont déjà commencé à provoquer des pannes.”
As the weather system began sweeping through the province on Monday evening and continued into Tuesday morning, the situation remains dynamic. “Les vents diminueront graduellement en mi-journée,” indicates forecasts, suggesting some relief may be on the way.
However, further disruptions are still possible, with warnings about potential damage to roofs, fences, branches, and temporary structures. “Des pannes de courant sont possibles par endroits. Des dommages aux toits, aux clôtures, aux branches ou aux abris souples sont possibles,” the advisory noted.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for complete restoration of power across the affected regions.
