Hydro One crews are working around the clock to restore electricity to thousands of Ontarians left in the dark after a weekend of intense ice storms. However, full restoration may take several days, the company warns.
By late Sunday afternoon, Hydro One—the province’s largest electricity provider—had restored power to more than 257,000 customers.
“We appreciate your patience as our crews work tirelessly in difficult conditions,” the company said in a post on X.
Adding to the challenge, a second wave of freezing rain hit parts of Ontario on Sunday, worsening ice buildup and increasing the risk of further outages. “We’re seeing tree limbs and entire trees coming down, making access to some areas difficult. In some places, crews can’t even reach affected customers until roads are cleared,” said Hydro One spokesperson Tiziana Baccega Rosa.
More freezing rain is expected in central and eastern Ontario later Sunday evening and into Monday, she added. “We anticipate more outages as a result.”
Safety a Top Priority
With power lines down across the province, Hydro One is urging residents to stay at least 10 meters (about three school bus lengths) away from any fallen wires. “You can’t tell if a power line is still live, and we don’t want anyone getting hurt,” Rosa emphasized.
The company also warned against attempting to trim tree branches near power lines. “Lines must be de-energized before they can be safely repaired,” Rosa said. “We need to keep our crews, customers, and the public safe.”
Hydro One reminded customers via social media that safety is its top priority, advising people to steer clear of downed wires, fallen trees, and damaged electrical equipment.
Tough Decisions for Affected Residents
Rosa urged those still without power to make the best decision for their situation. “If you have the option to stay with relatives, that might be the best choice. Otherwise, make sure your emergency preparedness kit is ready and shelter in place safely.”
Meanwhile, Alectra Utilities—which serves about a million homes and businesses in the Golden Horseshoe region—said its crews were also working through the night to restore power.
As of Sunday evening, approximately 18,000 Alectra customers in Barrie, Penetanguishene, and Richmond Hill remained without electricity, down from 44,000 at the peak of the storm. The company warned that some customers could be without power overnight and into Monday due to severe damage, particularly in downtown Barrie, where fallen trees have complicated restoration efforts.
Alectra also noted that some homes may remain without power even after repairs if their electrical mast—the point where power lines connect to a house—was damaged.
To minimize food spoilage, Alectra advised residents to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
“We know this is a challenging time, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to restore service safely,” the company said in a statement.
Widespread Impact
At the height of the storm, power was knocked out for more than 400,000 customers across Ontario. A Hydro One outage map showed the hardest-hit areas stretching from Tobermory and Parry Sound to Peterborough.
Orillia, at the heart of Ontario’s cottage country, was one of the worst-affected areas. Ice accumulation reached up to 25 millimeters, creating stunning winter scenes but also dangerous road and living conditions. The city has declared a state of emergency and opened a relief center at the Orillia Recreation Centre for overnight guests.
The Township of Oro-Medonte, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Simcoe, also declared a state of emergency due to the storm’s impact. Meanwhile, Peterborough has set up multiple reception centers, including one offering overnight shelter.
Barrie was also hit hard but has not yet declared a state of emergency.
In Durham Region, officials urged residents to be cautious of fallen trees and malfunctioning traffic lights. “Many traffic signals are out—treat them as four-way stops,” Durham police advised on social media. “Crews are working as fast as they can, but if you can stay home today, please do.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford assured residents that the province is actively coordinating with affected communities to restore power and ensure safety.
Warming Centers in Toronto
Although the freezing rain warning has been lifted for Toronto, the city has confirmed it will keep five warming centers open for residents in need.
What’s Next?
While the worst of the freezing rain has passed, Environment Canada forecasts a shift to mixed drizzle on Sunday afternoon, with a risk of thunderstorms later in the evening and after midnight. Winds will pick up from the east at 20 km/h, shifting to southwest at 30 km/h, with gusts up to 50 km/h. The overnight low will be 5°C.
On Monday, expect cloudy skies with a 60% chance of morning showers. Winds will strengthen further, shifting northwest at 30 km/h and gusting up to 50 km/h by noon. Temperatures will peak at 15°C before dropping to 1°C in the night.
