Thousands of Ottawa residents woke up in darkness Monday morning as hydro crews worked through the night to restore power following Saturday’s violent storm that left a trail of destruction across Eastern Ontario.
As of 6 a.m., approximately 8,000 customers remain without electricity, down from the peak of nearly 180,000 reported immediately after the storm hit the capital region with wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h.
“We’ve been working around the clock since the first reports came in,” said James Holden, spokesperson for Hydro Ottawa. “The damage is extensive, with dozens of snapped poles, downed lines, and transformer issues across every part of the city.”
The hardest-hit neighborhoods include Barrhaven, Orleans, and parts of Kanata, where entire streets remain in the dark. Crews from Toronto and Kingston have arrived to assist with the massive restoration effort.
At the corner of Woodroffe Avenue and Hunt Club Road, I watched as hydro workers carefully untangled power lines from the branches of a massive maple tree that had fallen across three properties. The scene repeats across the city – a reminder of both nature’s power and the complexity of rebuilding our electrical infrastructure.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe toured affected areas Sunday afternoon, praising both residents and emergency workers for their resilience and dedication.
“What I’ve seen today is Ottawa at its best – neighbors helping neighbors, crews working non-stop, and communities coming together,” Sutcliffe told reporters near a damaged substation in Nepean. “We’re asking for continued patience as crews navigate complex repairs.”
The city has established four emergency cooling centers for residents without power at community centers in Pinecrest, Carleton Heights, Ron Kolbus Lakeside, and Walter Baker Sports Centre. Each location offers charging stations, washrooms, and air conditioning.
Environment Canada meteorologist Sarah Wilson confirmed this was the strongest storm system to hit the region since the devastating derecho of May 2022, though less widespread in its impact.
“What made this storm particularly dangerous was how quickly it intensified as it approached the Ottawa area,” Wilson explained. “The combination of high humidity and a powerful cold front created perfect conditions for destructive straight-line winds.”
For residents still without power, Ottawa Public Health advises caution regarding food safety. “After 24 hours without refrigeration, most perishable foods should be discarded,” warned Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health. “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Local grocery stores report surging demand for ice, non-perishable foods, and bottled water. The Real Canadian Superstore on Richmond Road extended its hours Sunday to accommodate affected residents.
While many businesses remain closed due to the outages, some have found creative solutions. The Wellington Diner in Westboro brought in generators to continue serving hot meals to neighborhood residents.
“We’ve been at capacity since opening this morning,” said owner Jeff Frost. “People need a hot coffee and a place to recharge their phones as much as their spirits right now.”
For Glebe resident Marie Thompson, the storm struck with frightening intensity.
“One minute it was just raining, the next our entire backyard maple – over 60 years old – came crashing down,” Thompson said while waiting in line at a charging station. “We’re just grateful it fell away from the house.”
Hydro Ottawa reminds residents to stay at least 10 meters away from any downed power lines and to report them immediately. Restoration priorities continue to focus on critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water treatment facilities, followed by repairs affecting the largest number of customers.
“We expect most customers will have service restored by late Tuesday, though some of the more complex situations requiring extensive rebuilding may take longer
