Quebecers are facing a second day of disruptions following a powerful storm that swept across the province, leaving over 149,000 customers without power as of 11:30 a.m. Thursday. While the worst of the anticipated ice storm was avoided, the impact of freezing rain and high winds continues to be felt, particularly in Montreal, the Laurentians, Centre-du-Québec, and the Montérégie regions.
The outages began overnight, peaking at over 200,000 affected customers early Thursday. Hydro-Québec is working to restore electricity, but challenging conditions are slowing progress. Several schools across southern Quebec have also remained closed for a second consecutive day due to hazardous road conditions and ongoing power outages, impacting families and students throughout the region.
Power Restoration Efforts Underway
Hydro-Québec has deployed all 550 of its crews to address the widespread outages, but spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard cautioned that restoration will be a complex process. “Just getting to an outage will grab longer than usual,” Bouchard said. “The roads are slippery for everybody, and we always remind the workers to always stay safe.” The utility aims to have the “large majority” of outages resolved by 11 p.m. Thursday, according to Quebec Premier François Legault, who met with Hydro-Québec officials to discuss the situation. However, Legault also noted that potential winds in certain areas could complicate efforts.
The impact of the storm extended beyond power outages. Service on Montreal’s light-rail network, the REM, was disrupted during the morning commute between the Gare-Centrale and Brossard stations. Shuttle buses were deployed on the South Shore and Nuns’ Island, and service was gradually restored by 9 a.m. After crews cleared ice from the cables.
School Closures and Regional Impacts
The Lester B. Pearson School Board, the New Frontiers School Board, and the Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes have announced closures for a second day. The English Montreal School Board, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, and the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal have reopened, though a limited number of schools in affected areas and those still without power will remain closed Thursday. Parents and students are advised to check with their individual schools for the latest updates.
Further east, the Côte-Nord and Gaspé regions are grappling with significant snowfall. A snowfall warning remains in effect for Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles, where up to 40 centimetres of snow is expected by Thursday afternoon. Transport Québec spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun reported that parts of Route 132 and Route 138 are closed to trucks due to safety concerns. Several schools in the Quebec City area also remained closed Thursday morning, though some daycare services were open.
Meteorologist Simon Legault of Environment Canada warned that high winds expected throughout the day could lead to further power outages and create hazardous road conditions due to accumulated water.
Hydro-Québec logo seen on a truck on Logan St. In Saint-Lambert on Nov. 12, 2025. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)
What to Expect Next
As crews continue to work, residents are urged to exercise caution and report any downed power lines. Hydro-Québec is providing updates on outage locations and estimated restoration times on its website, www.hydroquebec.com. The focus remains on restoring power to critical infrastructure and vulnerable populations, with full restoration expected to continue throughout the evening. The potential for further disruptions due to wind remains a concern, and residents are encouraged to stay informed about changing weather conditions.
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