Over 360,000 Quebec Homes Without Power After Snowstorm

UPDATE: More than 360,000 Quebec homes remain without power this morning following a severe winter storm that swept through the province. As of 9:30 a.m. on November 7, 2023, residents are grappling with the aftermath of heavy wet snow, freezing rain, and strong winds that have left thousands in the dark.

Hydro-Québec reports that the Montérégie region is the hardest hit, with over 107,000 outages affecting nearly 813,000 addresses. Close behind is Lanaudière, where approximately 75,000 customers are currently without electricity. In Montreal, around 47,500 homes are experiencing outages, creating significant disruptions for residents.

The storm, which began as a picturesque November snowfall, quickly escalated into a crisis as trees succumbed to the weight of the sticky snow. “Since many trees still had their leaves, the weight of wet leaves and snow is breaking some weaker branches, which are coming into contact with the power grid,” Hydro-Québec explains on its website. This situation has caused widespread damage, with fallen branches taking down electrical lines across various regions.

Other areas facing significant outages include Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean with about 36,000 outages, Centre-du-Québec at 33,000, the Laurentians with 23,000, and Laval nearing 20,000. As emergency teams mobilize across the province, Hydro-Québec assures residents that they are working diligently to restore power “as soon as possible.”

In addition to power outages, weather conditions are expected to worsen. Environment Canada warns that Montreal could receive up to 2 cm more snow today, with wind gusts reaching 50 km/h and temperatures hovering around –2°C. More snow and rain are anticipated overnight, complicating recovery efforts and adding to the challenges faced by residents.

Hydro-Québec encourages those affected to stay informed about the status of outages through the Info-Pannes app or its real-time online outage map. As Quebec battles this early winter storm, the urgency for residents to prepare for ongoing disruptions is paramount.

Residents are urged to share their experiences and report outages as communities come together to support one another in these challenging times. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.