Utility crews have successfully restored electrical service to thousands of residents and businesses across Canada's Atlantic provinces, following a powerful windstorm that swept through the region over the weekend.
Restoration Efforts in Full Swing
Teams from New Brunswick Power and other regional utilities worked tirelessly through Sunday to repair downed lines and damaged infrastructure. The restoration process involved both internal crews and contracted workers, who addressed numerous localized outages caused by fallen trees and branches.
The situation was reminiscent of previous severe weather events, such as the widespread damage caused by post-tropical storm Lee in September 2023, which required similar large-scale mobilization of repair resources. Crews applied lessons learned from past storms to efficiently coordinate their response to this latest weather system.
Scope and Impact of the Outages
While the exact number of affected customers fluctuated as the storm moved through, the cumulative impact was significant, with thousands of households and businesses experiencing a loss of power at the peak of the disruptions. The winds, which began on Saturday, December 20, 2025, and continued into Sunday, tested the resilience of the regional grid.
The most concentrated outages were reported in New Brunswick, though other parts of the Atlantic region also felt the effects of the blustery conditions. The timing, just days before the Christmas holiday, added urgency to the restoration work, as families prepared for celebrations and many businesses entered their busiest retail period.
Looking Ahead and Preparedness
By the morning of Monday, December 22, 2025, the majority of customers had their power restored. Utility companies have advised residents to report any remaining outages and to stay clear of any downed power lines, which should always be treated as live and dangerous.
This event underscores the ongoing challenge that extreme weather poses to critical infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. It highlights the importance of continued investment in grid modernization and tree-trimming programs to mitigate future outage risks. Customers are reminded to have emergency kits prepared, especially during the winter storm season.
