Urgent: Over 50,000 N.B. Power Customers Outage Amid Strong Winds

UPDATE: More than 50,000 N.B. Power customers are currently without electricity as powerful winds sweep across the Maritimes this morning, October 14, 2023. Gusts reaching up to 135 km/h in Grand Manan are contributing to widespread outages, with other areas like Monastery, N.S., recording winds of 127 km/h, according to CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon.

The situation is urgent as crews from N.B. Power are working tirelessly to restore emergency outages. Utility spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser confirmed that teams have been deployed throughout heavily affected areas, with restoration efforts ongoing since late Friday night. “Please keep a safe distance of at least 10 metres from any downed infrastructure,” she advised. “Do not approach downed lines as they can still be energized.”

Residents without power are urged to report their outages directly to N.B. Power to ensure timely updates on restoration efforts. “It is the only way to ensure we know your power is out,” Fraser stated in an email.

Authorities stress the importance of safety amid these conditions. Strong winds continue to pose risks, and the public is advised to stay indoors where possible.

As of now, N.B. Power has not provided an estimated time for when power will be restored to affected customers. Local officials and utility services are monitoring the situation closely, and additional updates will be shared as they become available.

For ongoing coverage, stay tuned to local news channels and report any outages promptly to help prioritize restoration efforts.