Power Outages During Polar Vortex May Leave Customers Without Electricity Until Monday
As the polar vortex sweeps across Quebec, approximately 15,000 households found themselves without electricity on Sunday morning. The situation could persist until Monday, as ongoing extreme cold weather continues to challenge infrastructure.
Current Situation of Power Outages
According to Hydro-Québec, around 14,000 homes remain in the dark, with more than 10,000 of these located on the Island of Montreal. The outages primarily affect the city of Côte-Saint-Luc.
Cause of the Outages
The outages are attributed to a malfunction at the Hampstead electrical station. Hydro-Québec spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard has indicated that it is still uncertain if the equipment failure is linked to the exceptionally cold temperatures.
Restoration Efforts
- Hydro-Québec cannot confirm when power will be restored.
- Some homes may remain without electricity until Monday.
- Gradual restoration is expected to resume within hours for some customers.
Bouchard highlighted the ongoing efforts, stating, “We are aware of the very cold conditions but are doing our best.”
Emergency Response Support
In response to the crisis, emergency centers opened in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce area. These facilities are available for residents affected by outages, offering them a place to stay, food, and warmth.
Record Electricity Demand
On Saturday morning, Hydro-Québec experienced a record electricity demand for the winter season due to the extreme cold. The unprecedented weather conditions have placed additional stress on the electrical grid.
Residents are advised to stay updated on restoration efforts and seek shelter if necessary during this challenging weather period.
