Montrealers coping with power outages after ice storm in DDO
Posted April 6, 2023 5:18 pm.
Last Updated April 6, 2023 6:45 pm.
The community in DDO on Montreal’s West Island is coping with Wednesday’s ice storm. Many are finding warmth, electricity, and a bite to eat in plazas close to them.
“We don’t really know when the power could come back on. It might come back tomorrow. It might be like the next day. So we just want to stock up a little bit,” said Steven Soldano.
Julian Galsso adding, “I had power for pretty much the whole day until 4:00. Everything shut down.”
For most, they’ve been without power since Wednesday afternoon.
“Since about 4:30 yesterday. So just coping with that and even yesterday, trying to get out with all the ice, it was just, uh, quite treacherous,” explained Steve Brotherton, one of the many people who came to the plaza to get food and get access to an outlet.
He’s not alone. Many have had the same idea, searching for outlets both inside and out to charge their phones.
DDO plaza where people can be seen charging their phones following Quebec’s ice storm. (Photo Credit: Felisha Adam, CityNews)
For some the power outage is not top of mind for most here they are experiencing a lack of cell service, many are unable to reach loved ones.
“I can not even text my sister or my son or my grandchildren just to let them know, that is surprising. In 2023,” said Nicole Levesque.
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Little hubs like Marche l’Oeust has become a place to stay connected for many in the community – many warming up and getting a bite to eat.
“I’m grateful for places where we can go and the merchants who are here to serve us. So that’s great. But it’s very stressful,” explained Kelly Lawetz.
DDO plaza where people came to seek shelter and power following Quebec’s ice storm. (Photo Credit: Felisha Adam, CityNews)
For Lawetz the power outage has various consequences.
“My basement is flooding. We’re sharing generators with neighbours and another neighbour loaned us this generator,” she explained. “I have a beautiful backyard and I’ve lost so many trees. It’s like it’s heartbreaking because those trees don’t those are like a hundred-year-old trees.”
For most, they’re trying to stay optimistic.
“I think we just stay hopeful. I mean, we, we’ve been through this before. I don’t think it’s time to panic right now. I would take it day by day and just hope for the best,” said Glasso.
Brotherton, urging Montrealers to “hang in there. We’ll get through it!”
