The weather system causing the outages began sweeping through the province on the night of March 16, 2026. As a result, approximately 200,000 customers of Hydro-Québec are currently without electricity due to strong winds, with the Montérégie region being the most affected, reporting around 16,200 subscribers without power.
Reports indicate that outages have been noted in several areas, including Montreal, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Bas-Saint-Laurent. The situation escalated quickly, with over 300,000 power outages recorded across various regions of Quebec, driven by wind gusts exceeding 70 km/h.
In response to the crisis, more than 1,500 workers have been mobilized to restore service as quickly as possible. Schools in affected areas have closed due to the power outages, further complicating the situation for families and local communities.
François Legault, the Premier of Quebec, stated that the government is “following the situation closely with Hydro-Québec” and emphasized that teams are deployed across the province to restore service promptly. He reassured the public that efforts are underway to address the widespread outages.
Hydro-Québec has also issued safety warnings, advising residents to “stay at least ten meters away from power lines” to avoid potential hazards. This precaution is crucial as the winds create conditions that can lead to further disruptions.
Simon Legault, a meteorologist, noted that the winds are causing a phenomenon where there is not necessarily significant snow accumulation on the ground, yet the impact on power infrastructure is severe.
As of the latest updates, approximately 102,000 households remain without electricity as of 10:35 PM, with numbers fluctuating throughout the day as crews work to restore power. The situation is dynamic, and officials are continuously assessing the impact of the weather.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for restoration, but observers are hopeful that the mobilization of resources will lead to improvements in the coming hours.
