Strong winds are wreaking havoc across Central Canada and the Maritimes, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power on March 17, 2026. Environment Canada had forecast strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour in some areas. The high winds have put electrical grids to the test, causing widespread outages and prompting deployment of work crews to restore power.
In Quebec, nearly 310,000 customers were affected by the storm, with the largest outages reported in the Laurentians, Lanaudière, and Montérégie regions. Hydro-Québec has deployed approximately 1,100 workers to address the outages and reconnect customers across the province. Ontario has also experienced significant power disruptions, with 30,000 customers in the eastern part of the province and about 11,000 in Ottawa left in the dark.
The Maritimes are also feeling the impact of the strong winds, combined with heavy rain. Thousands of customers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are without electricity. Some communities in southern New Brunswick have reported over 40 mm of rain. Initial reports from the South Shore of Nova Scotia indicate rainfall totals ranging from 30 to 60+ mm, with some localized flooding.
As the storm system moves through, residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions. Hydro companies are working diligently to restore power to affected areas, but full restoration may take time depending on the extent of the damage.
