A few thousand Quebecers still without electricity after power outages

MONTREAL – Hydro-Quebec said it expected to re-establish electricity by Monday night to all the households affected by weekend power outages caused by freezing rain.

By Monday evening about 2,500 homes were still without electricity after freezing rain on Sunday caused widespread blackouts across the province.

More than 150,000 households — primarily in the Montreal area — lost power.

Roads and sidewalks throughout eastern and northeastern Quebec remained treacherous on Monday due to snow, ice and freezing wind.

Many flights departing from and arriving to Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport were delayed or cancelled Sunday night and Monday.

Quebec’s Transport Department warned that visibility was close to zero on roads in the province’s Rimouski and Matane regions, located northeast of Quebec City along the St. Lawrence River.

Hydro-Quebec said 2,507 households remained without power as of 5:30 p.m. Monday.

There was still considerable ice buildup on tree branches and power lines.

The snow and freezing rain also caused at least 100 traffic accidents, including one in which a young woman was killed.