Thousands of residents in Montreal are still facing power outages on Sunday, attributed to a persistent polar vortex causing freezing conditions in Quebec. By 5 p.m., over 9,000 customers were without electricity province-wide, with approximately 5,600 affected on the Island of Montreal, especially in Côte Saint-Luc and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighborhoods.
According to Hydro-Québec spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard, equipment failure at the Hampstead substation led to the outages in Côte Saint-Luc. However, the cause for NDG outages was yet to be confirmed. Bouchard mentioned that it was unclear if the issue was due to the cold weather, necessitating further investigation.
Efforts are underway to restore power gradually, with some customers expected to remain without electricity until Monday. The City of Côte Saint-Luc noted that extreme cold and technical challenges were prompting a slow restoration process, requiring homes to be powered up individually rather than by sections.
Mayor David Tordjman expressed optimism for a resolution by Sunday evening but advised residents to conserve power to prevent system overload during repairs. Emergency shelters and assistance services, including warm beverages and showers, have been made available for impacted individuals. Additionally, wellness checks are being conducted to ensure the safety of residents, particularly seniors, who may require assistance.
Furthermore, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for the Montreal area, predicting 15 to 20 cm of snowfall, which could affect Monday’s morning commute. Slippery road conditions are anticipated due to the combination of cold temperatures and snow, urging caution for commuters. Similar warnings are in place for other parts of Southern Quebec, emphasizing the need for vigilance and careful travel.
