More than 1M Quebec households without power due to freezing rain

A fierce storm system that brought thunder, lightning and freezing rain to parts of Quebec has left more than a million hydro customers still in the dark.

Much of Quebec remains under a freezing rain warning, and Hydro-Quebec said as of 7:15 a.m. EST Thursday, power outages affected 1.1 million homes and businesses – nearly half are in Montreal.

Montreal authorities reported numerous calls for downed trees, while Transport Quebec said weather conditions forced it to close the Victoria Bridge, which connects Montreal with its southern suburbs.

The storm began with ice pellets Wednesday morning, turning into freezing rain by noon, and then back to rain by late Wednesday evening.  Temperatures will climb to 9 degrees Thursday in Montreal and the sun will be back for Friday with a high of plus 4.

But some of Quebec is still under a freezing rain warning.

Many of the Montreal area school boards and service centres are closed Thursday due to the weather and power outages including:

•  English Montreal School Board
•  Lester B. Pearson
•  New Frontiers School Board
•  Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
•  CSS des Affluents
•  CSS des Grandes-Seigneuries
•  CSS Marguerite-Bourgeoys
•  CSS de Montreal
•  CSS des Mille-Îles

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante tweeting, “Teams from the City of Montreal and Hydro-Quebec are present everywhere in Montreal to ensure safety and restore electricity to homes affected by blackouts. The SPVM is also in action to ensure traffic flow and safety.”

The SPVM also tweeting, “Our 911 Central is currently receiving a high volume of calls related to the ice storm. To report the damage to your insurer, no police report is required. If a situation endangers safety or traffic, contact 911 immediately.”