Quebec ice storm knock out your power? Here's how to get help

UPDATE: The city of Montreal said on Tuesday it was closing warming shelters, but residents could still get help if they lacked power by calling 311, or 514-872-0311 if they live in one of the demerged municipalities on the island.

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Tens of thousands of customers were still without power in Quebec on Monday, with the majority of them in the Montreal area.

More than a thousand Hydro-Québec workers are working to get your lights back on.

Hydro-Québec says it is working to restore power to all households, but some will only be getting their electricity back late Tuesday.

For the latest updates about how the storm is affecting Quebecers, you can click here.

In the meantime, here is some information that can help. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.

How do I find out when my power will come back?

To find out when your power will be restored, visit the Hydro-Québec website and look for your region.

The utility says some complex outages could take longer.

Who do I call if I have downed trees or power lines? 

The city of Montreal is asking people to call 311 if there is a felled tree, debris or other obstruction blocking access to a street or sidewalk.

In all other cases, you can communicate with the city through its website.

Hydro-Québec is asking people to keep their distance from wires, poles and other equipment on the ground.

How do I stay safe out there?

City officials advise Montrealers to stay home unless absolutely necessary and to be careful if venturing out. 

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante asked Montrealers to keep an eye out for Hydro-Québec and city workers clearing branches and debris from the streets and to move their vehicles out of the way. 

Plante asked Montrealers to avoid parks to stay clear of the danger as the ice thaws.

Later Friday, the mayor announced the closing of Mount Royal and the city's nature parks. 

Should I call 911?

The city of Montreal is asking people to only call 911 if their health and safety is in immediate danger. 

Where can I warm up and charge my phone?

Warming shelters have opened in some parts of Quebec offering those in need services including a place to keep warm, warm up food, shower, get water and charge their batteries.

Mayor Plante invited Montrealers left in the cold or needing WiFi to seek out cultural centres and libraries opening their doors throughout the city. 

Here are some of the other places in the Montreal area that are open for residents:

• Montreal has a list of warming and emergency shelters on its website.
• There is a drop-in centre at the Pierrefonds Sportplexe.
• The municipality of Côte Saint-Luc is making both its Community and Aquatic Centre as well as the library available to those who need it.  
• The city of Laval is opened several centres where residents can warm up and charge their phones.
• Also in Laval, the Agape's Senior Wellness Centre if offering a place for seniors to stay warm.
• The city of Terrasse-Vaudreuil is making its community centre available to the public.
• The city of Cantley is opening its multifunctional community centre today from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The city of Pincourt is offering help at its centre from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The city of Hudson opened its community centre as of 8 a.m. 
• In Boucherville, the Centre multifonctionnel Francine-Gadbois is opening its doors to residents.

Should I use outdoor heating equipment indoors?

Hydro-Québec recommends avoiding using fuel-burning heaters and portable stoves that are intended for outdoor use inside your home as they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning indoors.

The chief of Montreal fire department, Richard Liebmann, echoed the same message. 

"Please do not use any kind of combustion inside whether for heating or for cooking," said Liebmann.

How do I eat safely after a power outage?

According to Jennifer Ronholm, assistant professor in food microbiology at McGill University, a safety-first approach is the way to go. 

"I think the best advice and simplest advice is if in doubt, throw it out," Ronholm told CBC's Shawn Apel.

Milk and meat — which you can inspect with your eyes and nose — are the first food products to go bad, she said, whereas fruits and vegetables are generally safe without signs of mold.

Leftovers in the fridge after an outage should be thrown out.

During a power outage, a full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours while a freezer that is half full keeps food frozen for half of that time, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. The CFIA warns against thawing food in the sun and recommends storing food in a neighbour's house that has power. 

After a power failure, the CFIA recommends throwing away food that has been at room temperature at least two hours. Food that has taken on an unusual colour or odour should also be discarded, but food that is cold to the touch or contains ice crystals can be frozen again. 

Click here for more information about food safety.

What's happening with the weather in the days ahead?

Temperatures are expected to rise to 15 C on Monday and Tuesday. 

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