Southern Manitoba is facing widespread power outages as a powerful winter storm, driven by an Alberta Clipper, continues to batter the region.
Thousands of residents across the southern half of the province remain without electricity Thursday as heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously low visibility make travel and restoration efforts difficult.
The entire town of Niverville was in the dark for several hours, with residents also reporting failures in cell service.
In Winnipeg, hundreds of households are experiencing scattered outages in smaller pockets across the city. Outside the capital, about 1,000 customers are without power in Grande Pointe and areas east of Highways 75 and 59, according to Manitoba Hydro.
Other communities throughout the region are also reporting outages as crews contend with extreme weather conditions.
Manitoba Hydro posted on its X account that “poor driving visibility is preventing travel to some areas and impacting restoration efforts. Please prepare for extended outages.”
Tips to stay safe during outages
With temperatures plunging and conditions hazardous, Hydro is urging residents to take precautions while power is out:
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Stay warm: Keep doors closed and use alternate heat sources safely if available. Most natural gas furnaces may operate the burner without electricity, but users should follow manufacturer instructions.
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Protect food: A full freezer can keep food frozen for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for around 24 hours. An unopened refrigerator will stay cold for about four hours.
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Use generators safely: If you have a backup generator, make sure it is properly sized, maintained and operated outdoors to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Prevent frozen pipes: If pipes are at risk of freezing, turn off the main water valve and drain lines. Consider using plumbing antifreeze in drains.
Hydro also recommends unplugging sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored and keeping at least one light plugged in so you know when power returns.
Officials continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as crews are able to access affected areas.
