Quebec power outages leave nearly 55,000 homes without electricity after severe storms
Severe storms in Quebec left nearly 55,000 homes without power Saturday morning; Hydro-Québec sent 100 crews, with outages concentrated in Outaouais, Montreal and Laval.
A line of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain knocked out electricity to nearly 55,000 customers across Quebec on Saturday morning, forcing Hydro-Québec to mobilize crews and prompting event cancellations in Montreal. The Quebec power outages affected both urban centres and outlying regions, with the Outaouais reporting the largest single cluster of outages at about 20,000 customers. Hydro-Québec reported outage counts for Montreal, Laval, the Laurentides and the Montérégie at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Nearly 55,000 homes without power across Quebec
Heavy rainfall and violent storms were linked to widespread service interruptions that left households and businesses without electricity early Saturday, utility and municipal sources confirmed. Hail was reported in several locations, complicating repair work and contributing to local damage assessments. Authorities warned residents to expect intermittent outages as crews worked to assess damage and restore lines.
Power restoration efforts were underway region by region, but no province-wide estimate for full restoration was released Saturday morning. Hydro-Québec advised customers to follow local updates and to report outages through official channels to help crews prioritize critical infrastructure and vulnerable customers.
Outaouais records largest number of outages
Outaouais was the hardest-hit region, with roughly 20,000 customers without power as of 10:30 a.m., according to Hydro-Québec data provided Saturday. The scale of outages in Outaouais reflected a concentrated path of severe weather that local emergency services said caused downed trees and damaged lines in multiple communities. Municipal officials in some affected towns opened emergency centres to assist residents without power or heat.
Montreal reported about 12,000 customers without electricity, while Laval faced roughly 9,000 outages, the Laurentides about 8,000 and the Montérégie around 4,000. These figures were current at mid-morning and subject to change as field crews confirmed service status and identified isolated pockets of loss.
Hydro-Québec deploys 100 crews and reinforcements
Hydro-Québec dispatched approximately 100 crews to the field on Saturday morning to assess damage, clear debris and begin repairs, a company spokesperson told ICI RDI. Additional teams were brought in from less-affected areas, including the Est-du-Québec and Saguenay regions, to accelerate restoration work and relieve local crews tackling the heaviest damage. The utility emphasized priority would be given to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and municipal pumping stations.
Crews faced hazards from standing water, downed lines and unstable trees, and Hydro-Québec said safety protocols require lines to be verified as de-energized before repairs proceed. The utility also asked the public to avoid downed wires and to report hazardous conditions promptly.
Storms force cancellations and public-safety measures
Local organizers cancelled or suspended events in response to the severe weather and the Quebec power outages, most notably the popular night cycling event Tour la nuit in Montreal. Vélo Québec said the event was called off because heavy rain and ongoing thunderstorms made route markings and marshaling unsafe for participants and volunteers. Municipal transit and road authorities also issued advisories about localized flooding and slippery conditions affecting travel.
Emergency services urged residents to prepare for possible prolonged outages by securing backup power for essential medical devices, checking on elderly neighbours, and avoiding travel through areas with significant storm damage. Public works crews in several municipalities were mobilized to clear blocked drains and remove fallen trees obstructing streets.
Weather warnings remain in effect for parts of the province
Weather alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms were still in effect for portions of Quebec as storm cells tracked across the region, meteorological services reported. Forecasters warned of continued risk for sudden downpours, lightning and localized hail that could produce further damage and isolated flooding. Residents were advised to monitor local forecasts and stay indoors during periods of lightning activity.
Authorities cautioned against underestimating the impact of seemingly brief, intense storms, noting that short-duration rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas. Motorists were reminded to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to respect barricades placed by emergency crews.
Hydro-Québec continued to update outage maps and urged customers to check official channels for the latest restoration timelines and safety information. Municipal emergency management offices reported coordination with utility crews to ensure that critical needs were being addressed, particularly for customers reliant on electricity for medical equipment.
Utility crews worked through the afternoon to repair damaged lines and restore service, focusing on high-priority locations first and then moving to residential feeders. Restoration times varied by neighbourhood depending on access, extent of damage and the need for specialized equipment to remove large trees or repair substations.
Recovery efforts were expected to continue into the evening as crews assessed secondary damage and as weather conditions allowed safe operations. Residents were advised to follow local emergency updates and to contact municipal hotlines if they required immediate assistance.
