Approximately 3,000 Manitoba Hydro customers were left without electricity on Tuesday following a storm that brought rain and snow across the province on Monday. The wet snow in certain areas caused trees to bend and power lines to break, exacerbated by strong winds that contributed to widespread outages. Initially, over 12,000 customers were impacted, with the majority of the remaining 3,000 affected customers located in northern Manitoba.
Hydro spokesman Peter Chura mentioned that efforts are underway to restore power by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, although some restoration work might extend into Wednesday. The affected regions include communities near The Pas and northwest of Thompson, like Nelson House and Leaf Rapids. Assistance from crews in Brandon and Selkirk is aiding in the restoration process in the northern areas, where over 150 instances of downed power lines have been reported.
In addition to the northern regions, customers in eastern and western parts of the province also experienced power disruptions. Approximately 300 individuals near Swan River were without power on Tuesday morning, with an estimated restoration time of 8 p.m., potentially spilling over into Wednesday. Meanwhile, customers in Russell and Dauphin in western Manitoba are expected to have power restored today.
Further reports of downed power lines due to fallen trees were received in eastern Manitoba, affecting a smaller number of customers. The restoration timeline for these areas is set for 7 p.m. Updates on restoration schedules will be shared on Manitoba Hydro’s social media platforms.
Environment Canada had issued a snowfall warning early on Monday, forecasting snow accumulation ranging from 10-25 centimeters across the storm-affected regions, with parts of northern Manitoba expecting over 30 cm. Liquid measurements indicated varying amounts of rain and snow, with communities like The Pas, Westray, and Swan River receiving significant precipitation.
Meteorologist Kyle McAulay explained the transition from rain to snow as the system moved northward into colder temperatures. Snow Lake recorded the highest snowfall at 35 cm, followed by Thompson at 20 cm and Flin Flon at 12 cm. McAulay anticipated an increase in liquid measures as the snow melts.
Residents were advised to stay at least 10 meters away from downed power lines and report any sightings to emergency services. Customers experiencing power outages can report them online or by calling the designated hotline provided by Manitoba Hydro.