Storm leaves thousands without power in southwestern Manitoba
Thousands of Manitobans are without power as the ongoing snow and rain are damaging power lines. With poor road conditions and flooding, Manitoba Hydro says it may take a while to get the lights back on.
As of Sunday afternoon, Manitoba Hydro was dealing with more than 900 outages affecting more than 13,500 customers.
Bruce Owen, a media relations officer at Manitoba Hydro, said the areas hardest hit by the outages include southwestern Manitoba – places like Boissevain, Virden, Morden and up into the Dauphin region.
"We're working to get everybody up as soon as possible," Owen told CTV News. "Some people will be out until the evening hours. We anticipate due to the nature of the weather and the road conditions that some customers in rural outlying areas may be out until tomorrow."
Owen said mother nature's April storm is causing the outages.
He said as temperatures dipped amid the precipitation Saturday, ice has started to form on the power lines which is weighing them down. Mix that with the wind, which is leading to snapped power lines and broken poles.
Manitoba Hydro said on April 24, 2022, ice has started to form on power lines which is weighing them down, leading to outages. (Source: Manitoba Hydro)
Manitoba Hydro estimates there are about 100 broken poles in the Dauphin area alone.
Manitoba Hydro has said crews from other districts in the province are heading to western Manitoba to deal with the outages.
However, Owen said the storm is causing challenges for crews.
"We're seeing incidences of overland flooding, and in some areas where we have to go, on gravel roads, are these roads are in really rough shape," he said. "We use the same roads as everybody else. So if you're not travelling, we can get to where we need to go, but it's just going to be a little slower."
Owen asked residents to be patient as crews work to restore power. He said this is an important reminder to have an emergency kit ready to go in case of a power outage. Manitoba Hydro has shared tips on how to prepare for outages.
Manitobans can report power outages online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
BREAKING Manhunt underway for suspect after several people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.