Over 300,000 Canadians experienced power outages in parts of Ontario as an ice storm swept through the region over the weekend, according to electricity provider Hydro One.
Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings for freezing rain affecting Ottawa, parts of Quebec, and Ontario. The risk of snow transitioning to ice pellets is expected to persist in some areas until Monday morning.
Hydro One noted that the power outages are primarily caused by tree limbs and branches weighed down by the accumulation of freezing rain, and highlighted a risk of flooding in central Ontario. By Sunday afternoon, more than 350,000 customers were affected, with power restoration anticipated by April 1.
Alectra, another utility provider, reported around 35,000 customers without power, mainly in Barrie, a town north of Toronto. The company stated that progress in restoring power has been slow due to the ice on the lines, but all available resources have been deployed.
The city of Orillia declared a state of emergency due to the storm, which has led to widespread power outages, hazardous road conditions, downed trees and hydro lines, and damage to public and private infrastructure. The city described the situation as very serious, emphasizing the hazardous conditions.
Residents across Ontario have taken to social media to report road closures caused by uprooted trees and the sounds of falling trees since the storm began.