Thousands in Montreal are braving the cold without power as a polar vortex grips Quebec. As of Sunday morning, over 20,000 residents were still in the dark, with more than 14,800 of them in Montreal, particularly in the Côte Saint-Luc and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce areas.
The outages began before noon on Saturday. Hydro-Québec attributed the issues in Côte Saint-Luc to an equipment failure at the Hampstead substation, though it’s still unclear if the same factor affected NDG. Cendrix Bouchard, a Hydro-Québec spokesperson, mentioned that they are working hard to restore power, but some customers may not have electricity until Monday.
The City of Côte Saint-Luc has noted that the extreme cold and ongoing technical difficulties are slowing down the restoration efforts. Rather than restoring power section by section, they are currently managing one home at a time.
To help residents keep warm, the Canadian Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the Côte-des-Neiges community center on Saturday evening. While it’s uncertain if the shelter will be operational Sunday night, it remains open for people needing warmth during the day. The Aquatic and Community Centre is also available, offering warm drinks and showers, although other activities there have been canceled.
Additional warming locations include the public library and the Samuel Moskovitch Arena. Residents have been advised to leave a small stream of water running from their taps to prevent pipes from freezing and to check on friends or family who may need a place to stay.
As if the power outage wasn’t enough, a yellow snowfall warning has been issued for Montreal and other parts of Southern Quebec. Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts 15 to 20 cm of snow starting late Sunday, potentially affecting Monday morning’s commute. Drivers are being urged to proceed with caution due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
These events highlight how vulnerable our infrastructure can be during extreme weather. According to a recent report from Environment Canada, such winter storms are becoming more frequent due to climate change, with the effects hitting residents harder each season.
In response to these weather challenges, discussions are growing about urban resilience. Experts argue that cities need to invest in robust infrastructure and emergency services to handle extreme weather. Community mobilization, like opening shelters and warming centers, is crucial for effectively supporting those in need.
Public reaction on social media is mixed, with some praising local efforts and others expressing frustration over the outages. This situation reinforces the importance of community and quick government response in times of crisis.
For more on managing during severe weather, check the conditions on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s site here.
