Hydro One Outage Affects Thousands in Ontario
A significant hydro one outage has impacted Prescott and Russell, Ontario, following a severe freezing rainstorm that struck the region on March 11, 2026. The storm led to widespread power outages, affecting thousands of residents.
Initially, at around 2:30 pm on March 11, 369 Hydro One customers in Rockland were reported without electricity. As the storm intensified, the number of affected customers surged, reaching 2,677 by 7:30 pm in areas including Wendover, Plantagenet, Riceville, and Fournier.
By 11 pm on the same day, the number of Hydro One customers without service had decreased to 175, indicating progress in restoration efforts. However, as of 2 pm on March 12, only 20 customers remained affected, showcasing the ongoing work by Hydro One crews.
Despite these improvements, more than 11,000 Hydro One customers were reported without power as of 1 pm on March 12, primarily in the Bancroft area. This situation has raised concerns among residents and prompted officials to take precautionary measures.
A boil water advisory was issued for approximately 77,000 residents in part of the Gatineau sector after a treatment plant lost power due to the storm’s effects. This advisory has added to the challenges faced by the community during this outage.
In response to the storm, all western Quebec schools were closed on March 11, highlighting the widespread impact of the weather conditions. The ice storm, while less severe than initially projected, still caused significant disruptions across the region.
Hydro-Québec also faced challenges, with around 30,000 of its customers without power earlier on March 12. The situation underscores the extensive reach of the storm and its impact on multiple utility providers.
As restoration efforts continue, local authorities and utility companies are working diligently to restore power and ensure the safety of residents. Officials are monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as they become available.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for complete restoration of services. Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels as the situation develops.
