Ontario’s largest electric utility is facing challenges as high winds exacerbate power outages in the aftermath of a recent storm. Hydro One is working diligently to restore electricity to thousands of customers still left in the dark due to a combination of snow and freezing rain.
As crews battle the elements, Hydro One reports that approximately 15,000 customers are currently without power, with road conditions posing additional obstacles in certain regions. At the peak of the storm, over 60,000 customers were affected by the outages, attributed to ice accumulation on tree branches leading to power line disruptions.
In parallel, Ontario’s road information service highlights a significant closure on a stretch of Highway 11 in northern Ontario, impacting travel between North Bay and Hearst. The extensive road closures are a result of adverse weather conditions, with Environment Canada issuing warnings for blowing snow and snow squalls across southwestern and northern Ontario. Some areas may see up to 50 centimeters of snow in the coming days.