WINNIPEG – A severe winter storm, driven by an “Alberta Clipper,” has plunged thousands of residents in southeast Manitoba into darkness. Manitoba Hydro reported widespread power outages this morning as heavy snowfall and high winds, gusting between 80 to 90 km/h, continue to batter the region.
The town of Niverville and its surrounding regions have been among the hardest hit. According to Manitoba Hydro:
- Niverville Area: Two separate equipment failures left 1,877 customers without electricity.
- Highway 59 Corridor: More than 300 people living between Tourond and Provincial Road 210 are experiencing outages.
- Rural Connections: An additional 1,577 customers between Highway 59 and Highway 75 near Niverville are also in the dark.
Grande Pointe and Highway Closures
In Grande Pointe, three separate outages have been reported, affecting approximately 1,000 users. The storm has not only impacted the power grid but also ground travel to a halt. Authorities have closed several major routes, including parts of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Perimeter Highway, due to “near-zero” visibility and dangerous snowdrifts.
Restoration Efforts
Manitoba Hydro crews are working in challenging conditions to restore service. While the utility initially estimated that power would be back for most residents by 9:00 AM today, they have warned that poor driving visibility is hindering travel to some remote areas, which may lead to extended outages.
Environment Canada has advised residents to stay indoors and shelter in place until the blizzard conditions ease later this afternoon.
