A recent freezing rain event impacted several regions across Quebec, resulting in significant disruptions. Over 215,000 households experienced power outages on Thursday, with many students missing school for the second consecutive day.
Impact of Freezing Rain across Quebec
The freezing rain caused ice accumulation of up to 20 millimeters in certain areas. Regions most affected included Outaouais, Montreal, and the Laurentians.
Damage and Power Outages
In Belœil, notable damage was reported, including a toppled tree. Residents experienced power outages due to branches falling on power lines. Jacques Rémi, a local resident, voiced his relief that the damage did not affect his home.
- Belœil: Significant tree damage reported.
- Lanaudière: Schools remained closed.
- Quebec City Area: Some schools on the South Shore also closed.
- Montreal: Most schools reopened, with a few remaining closed due to outages.
Transportation Disruptions
The storm also affected transportation systems. The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) was halted for much of the morning between Brossard and Canora due to exceptional ice accumulation on the overhead wire.
Government Response
Quebec Premier François Legault stated that most power outages would be resolved by Thursday night. By the evening, approximately 9,000 homes were still without power out of Hydro-Québec’s 4.5 million clients.
Claudine Bouchard, CEO of Hydro-Québec, noted that this storm was easier to manage compared to the severe April 2023 storm that caused over a million outages. This storm’s epicenter was not concentrated on the island of Montreal, making recovery efforts smoother.
Weather Alerts and Precipitation Data
Environment Canada lifted all freezing rain alerts by the evening. Preliminary data showed that areas in Outaouais received 20 to 30 millimeters of freezing rain, while Montreal saw similar accumulations.
- Outaouais: 20-30 millimeters of ice.
- Montreal: 20 millimeters of ice.
- Laurentians: 15-20 millimeters of ice.
- Quebec City: 10-15 millimeters of ice.
The impact of this storm was mitigated by a mix of sleet and freezing rain, which lessened damages compared to past severe weather events. Additionally, Hydro-Québec’s proactive vegetation management reduced the number of hazardous branches leading up to this storm.
In summary, while the freezing rain affected several regions, the overall consequences were managed effectively, and the response from Hydro-Québec helped minimize impacts for many residents.
