After numerous Ontario locales experienced freezing rainstorms over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of people remained without power, and some schools were closed on Monday morning. As of Monday morning, there were still widespread power outages in a portion of the province that Hydro One serves, extending from Grey-Bruce to the border with Quebec. More than 390,000 homes and businesses were without power.
Hydro One reports that since the storm began, well over 532,000 additional customers have also had their power restored. According to estimates provided by Hydro One, some areas may not receive power restoration until Tuesday or Wednesday. The company does not provide service to many major cities. On its website, it stated, “It’s all hands-on deck as crews continue to work alongside our contractors to restore power to customers.” Additionally, several school boards, including the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, remained closed on Monday, with 18,000 people still without power in the city. Peterborough, Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Brock, and the District of Muskoka were among the municipalities that declared states of emergency. A note on Peterborough’s website stated, “The City declared a state of emergency on Sunday, March 30, 2025, to support recovery efforts related to the ice storm.” “Ice accumulation is causing power outages and unsafe conditions by falling trees, limbs, and power lines.” According to the Ontario Provincial Police, warming centers opened in Orillia and Tay Township, two of the most affected areas in central Ontario, as well as in Peterborough. According to Orillia fire chief Chris Ferry, power outages could continue for up to 48 hours. In a telephone interview, Ferry stated, “I would say we have thousands of trees damaged or down in the city, as well as our entire electrical grid was out.” “We’re just asking people to stay away from any of the dangerous dangers that trees and limbs that are overhanging pose,” Additionally, many businesses were forced to close. Gina Allison, who runs a home-based salon in Oro-Medonte, hasn’t had power since early Saturday morning. On Sunday, she and her family hunkered down as trees crashed into their deck and cars, which she described as “nerve wracking.” It was crazy to see trees falling all around us. I have never seen anything like this,” she said in a phone interview Monday.
“I’ve never seen anything like this storm before.” According to Allison, a tree struck one of her family’s vehicles “like a torpedo,” severely denting one of them. In order to assess the damage and wait for power to be restored, she had to shut down her salon. She stated that clients and friends have offered to provide shelter and meals in the interim, but her family has decided to wait.
More than 390K still without power in Ontario after weekend ice storm
