Freezing Rain Causes Power Outages for Thousands in Montreal
It’s been a rough weekend for many in Montreal and surrounding regions, as a powerful bout of freezing rain swept through the area, leaving tens of thousands without power. Hydro-Québec reported that as of Monday morning, nearly 80,000 customers were affected, with the hardest-hit regions being Lanaudière, the Laurentians, and parts of Chaudière-Appalaches.
The outages primarily stemmed from tree branches, heavy with ice, snapping and falling onto power lines. Some incidents were also caused by tripped system breakers due to the accumulation of ice. Unfortunately, Hydro-Québec has not been able to provide an exact timeline for when full power will be restored. Crews have been out since early Monday, assessing the extent of the damage and working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
The storm hit hard, and Environment Canada had warned about this well in advance. The freezing rain alert covered western, central, and southern Quebec, predicting between 5 and 10 millimeters of ice accumulation. And sure enough, the ice took its toll—coating trees, roads, and infrastructure in a dangerously thick layer, making driving treacherous and increasing the risk of further power failures.
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South of Quebec City, the number of reported outages grew significantly overnight. In Ontario, the same system wreaked havoc, with more than 390,000 people still without power as of Monday morning. Authorities have cautioned that it could take several days to fully restore electricity across all affected areas.
Caroline Desrosiers, spokesperson for Hydro-Québec, emphasized that crews are working diligently but the situation remains complex. “Most outages happened overnight, and this morning the teams are carefully evaluating the extent of the damage,” she explained. “It’s a tough situation, but we are mobilized and ready to respond.”
Adding to the concern, the freezing rain warning has now extended to other regions, including Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, and Gaspé. The unpredictable nature of spring weather in Canada means that more disruptions could be on the horizon.
This storm serves as yet another reminder of the power of nature and the challenges that come with severe winter conditions. If you or someone you know is affected, it's essential to stay safe, avoid downed power lines, and report any hazards to local authorities. For those still without power, patience and preparation will be key as the recovery efforts continue.
Winter may officially be on its way out, but in Montreal, it’s making sure we don’t forget who’s in charge just yet.
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