Electricity has been restored to more than 95 percent of Hydro Ottawa’s customers, following the May 21 storm that blew the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Jim Watson quoted the figure as saying that about 8,000 customers would be without electricity as of Monday morning, after about 10 days of power outages.
Watson empathized with customers in rural areas and some small pockets in the city who are still waiting for electricity.
“I know it’s frustrating, annoying and very inconvenient. And we’re doing everything we can,” Watson said. “I want to thank the hydraulic crews who work literally all day.”
Alain Gonthier, the city’s director general of public works, said about 20 roads are still closed due to cables and fallen trees. Meanwhile, only 20 intersections remain unoperated, below more than 700 immediately after the storm more than a week ago.
Gonthier said public works employees will begin this week to reinstate stopped work such as mowing lawns and small maintenance in residential areas.
Bryce Conrad, CEO of Hydro Ottawa, said crews will now focus on the small pockets of residential areas that still have disruptions.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, Conrad said in the territory of Hydro Ottawa, there were:
- 33 cuts from more than 50 customers.
- 27 cuts between 10 and 50 customers.
- 273 cuts from 10 customers or less.
Even when the system is “up and running,” Conrad said there are currently 150 homes that will need damage repairs and electrical safety checks.
“That number will increase,” he said, as crews discover more damage each day they work.
Emergency support changes
The number of customers without electricity was originally about 180,000. Hydro Ottawa has described widespread damage from lightning and windstorm as worse than the 1998 ice storm and 2018 tornadoes.
Some Ottawa roads continue to be affected by power outages, debris, or both. Work is also underway to manage this waste and other waste after the storm.
The city has shifted its focus to emergency support, reducing the number of emergency respite centers in favor of four “single windows” and invitations to use energy and restrooms at community and recreation centers.
More than 8,000 customers in the region who do not receive Hydro Ottawa services are without electricity, most in the vicinity of Bancroft, Ont., And Tweed, Ont.