Freezing rain and high winds have led to significant power outages across Quebec, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity. At the peak of the situation, over 200,000 customers were affected early Thursday morning. The hard-hit areas include Montreal, the Laurentians, and Montérégie.
Impact on Schools
The adverse weather conditions have prompted closures of several schools in southern Quebec. Institutions such as the Lester B. Pearson School Board and New Frontiers School Board decided to remain closed for a second day due to hazardous road conditions and ongoing power outages.
- Closed School Boards:
- Lester B. Pearson School Board
- New Frontiers School Board
- Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes
- Reopened School Boards:
- English Montreal School Board
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
- Centre de services scolaire de Montréal
Restoration Efforts by Hydro-Québec
Hydro-Québec is actively working to restore power. Spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard stated that all available teams, about 550, are deployed to address the outages. However, he warned that the recovery process might be slow due to challenging conditions in many areas.
“Getting to an outage will take longer than usual,” Bouchard cautioned, emphasizing the need for worker safety given the slippery roads.
Transit Disruptions
The freezing rain caused disruptions in public transit as well. Service on Montreal’s light-rail network, the REM, was interrupted during the morning commute between Gare-Centrale and Brossard stations. Shuttle buses were deployed to accommodate affected passengers, and by 9 a.m., service began to gradually resume after ice removal from cables.
Weather Warnings and Road Conditions
While Montreal faced freezing rain, other regions in Quebec encountered snow and ice pellets. A snowfall warning is currently in effect for areas such as Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles, with accumulations of up to 40 centimeters expected by Thursday afternoon.
Road conditions are particularly severe in the Côte-Nord and Gaspé regions. Transport Quebec has closed parts of Route 132 and Route 138 to trucks due to safety concerns.
Some schools in the Quebec City area also elected to close, although some daycare services remained operational.
Safety Precautions
In light of the ongoing extreme weather conditions, experts have offered safety advice to residents. Suggestions include preparing homes, protecting food and devices, and ensuring vehicles are secured during adverse weather events.
