Power outages, school closures as snow hits Quebec

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There are more than a quarter of a million homes without power across Quebec as snow continues to blanket the province.

“In several places, power lines are down due to strong gusts of wind or the weight of broken tree branches,” Hydro-Quebec notes. “We are mobilizing all available crews to work on restoring service as quickly as possible.”

According to Hydro-Quebec, 283,312 households are without power as of 8 a.m.

The hardest-hit regions are the Laurentians (86,037), Montreal (80,677) and the Montérégie (37,622).

“For public safety, it is crucial that people not approach power lines,” the Crown corporation stresses. “If you see electrical wires on the ground, please do not approach the area and call 911 to have the area secured.”

Meteorologists say Montreal could see up to 20 centimetres of snow by the end of the weather system.

It is expected to start melting within the next few days, as the forecast predicts warmer weather by the weekend.

Hydro-Quebec adds that people should “absolutely not use outdoor equipment and devices inside” as fuel-burning heaters, lights, generators and portable stoves designed for outdoor use can cause asphyxiation or poisoning if used inside.

Snow in April is not unusual, points out CTV News’ Lori Graham.

Montreal usually sees around 13 cm of snow during the month, and the biggest one-day snowfall recorded was 33.9 cm on April 9, 2000.

School closures

Centre de services scolaire de Laval
Centre de services scolaire des Affluents
Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles
Centre de services scolaire des Samares
Lester B. Pearson School Board
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

Riverside School Board

Courtland Park International School
Harold Napper School
Mountainview School

Daycares

CPE les Bois Verts
CPE Dollard
CPE Hebrew Foundation
CPE Lachine

Additional closures

Centre académique Fournier
Centre d’intégration scolaire inc.
Greaves Adventist Academy
Hebrew Foundation School
JEM Workshop
Miss Edgars and Miss Cramps School
Peter Hall School
Rotiwennakehte School
Ratihente:te High School
Sacred Heart School
Summit School
Vanguard School

Trafalgar School for Girls says it will have a late start to the day, at 10 a.m.

The school notes that “doors and supervision will be as normal for anyone that arrives earlier. Regular classes will take place according to a modified schedule.”