Storm cleanup and power outages are still affecting the lives of many people in Ottawa and some communities in eastern Ontario, 10 days after the May 21 storm.
According to the Tuesday afternoon update, some 3,000 Hydro Ottawa customers still did not have electricity, officials said. That’s less than two percent of the 180,000 customers who lost electricity when the right felled trees, water equipment and more, killing 11 people.
Mayor Jim Watson also said during the daily update that 2,500 applications for financial aid have been filed in the city by people who had to throw food out of their refrigerators and freezers due to the loss. of energy.
Watson said the program currently focuses on those most in need, not all homeowners.
The city said it is using existing emergency welfare policies tailored to assess financial needs and whether city programs can help replace essentials, such as lost drugs.
Ongoing repair work has so far cost Hydro Ottawa $ 25 million to $ 30 million, which will be covered by the province, according to CEO Bryce Conrad.
New complications have been found
Some customers may still have to wait days for electricity to be restored as crews discover new complications as they complete repairs in disruptions affecting smaller pockets of customers in Alta Vista, Manor Park and Overbrook, he said. to say.
Conrad said teams have discovered damaged transformers or had to call high cranes while working to repair poles that have fallen in the backyards.
On Tuesday morning, Hydro Ottawa’s Joseph Muglia also told CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning that most of the remaining customers should have power again next Friday. This matches the utility outage map.
Ottawa still has several roads closed due to storm damage and traffic lights in need of repair. Only a few of its schools and library offices are still closed, as the city is reducing its special collection of organic waste and can resume maintenance, such as mowing the lawn.
Another 6,500 Hydro One customers in eastern Ontario, mostly around Bancroft and Tweed, are also without electricity. It can take days and, in some cases, weeks for them to recover.
According to Hydro-Québec, electricity has been restored to almost everyone in western Quebec, and the city of Gatineau has been able to reopen all municipal facilities.