Manitoba Hydro has restored power to the majority of customers affected by the recent storm that swept through the province, the utility announced Thursday.
Crews have been working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure, including leaning poles along Highway 59 south of Winnipeg. The storm, which hit the region earlier this week, caused widespread outages, leaving thousands without electricity.
As of Thursday morning, Manitoba Hydro reported that only a few hundred customers remained without power, down from a peak of over 8,000. The utility said it expects to have all remaining outages resolved by the end of the day.
Crews continue repairs
Photos from the scene show crews tending to Manitoba Hydro poles that are leaning dangerously alongside Highway 59. The poles were damaged by high winds associated with the storm, which also caused significant damage to buildings in the area.
In one incident, a suspected tornado ripped the roof off an industrial building, leaving a $30 million path of destruction. No injuries were reported in that event.
Impact on residents
Residents in affected areas have been without power for several days, with some reporting spoiled food and difficulty staying warm. Manitoba Hydro has set up charging stations and provided updates through social media.
The utility reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines and to report any hazards immediately. For the latest information on outages, customers can visit the Manitoba Hydro website or follow the utility on social media.
