Thousands lose power as brutal storm whips province

Power outages started piling up Thursday as a fierce winter storm creamed New Brunswick, bringing transportation, whether by air, road or water, to a near halt and closing all but essential government services.

Police advised against highway driving, public transit services were shut down early, flights were cancelled and widespread closures were in effect because of unsafe conditions.

Great day for a ski in N.B.

7 years ago

Duration 1:02

As Thursday's storm progressed in N.B. some chose to get some fresh air and exercise.

As of 9 p.m., more than 12,400 NB Power customers had lost power, including 6,000 on the Acadian Peninsula.

In the Sackville-Port Elgin area, nearly 3,600 customers lost electricity, and other power failures occurred across the province.

Power outages

More than 1,100 NB Power customers in the Moncton area lost power early on Thursday, but nearly all were reconnected by 3 p.m., according to spokeswoman Marie-Andrée Bolduc.

Thousands more lost power as the storm wore on, including thousands of Acadian Peninsula customers in the evening. 

The outages in the northeast were a reminder of the severe ice storm that rocked the region a year ago and left thousands without power for days. Two people died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the 2017 storm.

Bolduc said the majority of customers on the peninsula are affected by "one incident that should be fairly easy to repair."

"However the road conditions are poor and violent winds are ongoing. Once they are able to safely make it to the site, they will make the repairs," she said.

NB Power has about 70 crews ready to respond if required and when it's safe to do so, Bolduc said in an email to CBC News.

Bolduc said crews will be available to respond to overnight priority calls to facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes.

"Beyond that, the storm is ongoing and safety is paramount," she said. "We have to wait until the storm has subsided and the roads are safe for our crews to get to the affected areas and begin the assessment of the work required. 

"We understand this situation is not an easy one for our customers."

'Travel not recommended'

You know things are bad when taxis are pulled off the road, but that's what happened in Fredericton after the storm swept into the city about noon.

Like most business owners in the area, George Youssef of Checker Cabs closed early, a rare occurrence in the past quarter-century.

"If we had drivers, we would probably stay open with one or two cars, but I can't even find those right now," Youssef said.

In storm warnings to the entire province, Environment Canada said total snowfall could amount to between 25 and 45 centimetres. Strong winds were expected to gust up to 100 kilometres an hour.

Check out Storm Centre New Brunswick for up-to-date closures, outages and travel advisories.

New Brunswick RCMP are advising drivers against travelling on Route 1 between St. Stephen and Petitcodiac, Route 2, the Trans-Canada Highway, between Moncton and the Quebec border, and Route 95 to the Maine border. 

"Motorists should avoid driving during the storm, particularly on highways," the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization said in a tweet.

If travel is required, the organization said people should first check 511.gnb.ca for road conditions.

'You don't have to shovel rain'

Kalin Mitchell, a CBC meteorologist, and Environment Canada said the storm will persist into Friday, with an additional 10 centimetres of snow expected in northern New Brunswick.

Heavy, blowing snow began falling in in Fredericton about noon and spread northward. In the evening, snow was overtaken at times by freezing rain. Ice pellets and finally rain were forecast for easternmost regions in the evening.

In the Greater Saint John region, heavy snow also started around noon, with wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h, creating low visibility in  outlying areas, such as Rothesay, before switching to rain, icy snow, then back to snow and rain again.

Still, Erik Madsen was upbeat.

"It's heading in the direction I like, which appears to be more rain," he said. "You don't have to shovel rain."

People are advised to stay away from shorelines in Saint John and county overnight, during high tide.

"Water levels from near Saint John west to the Maine border will be elevated enough to cause coastal flooding in vulnerable areas," an alert issued by Environment Canada states.

The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb water, the weather agency said.

Carbon monoxide risk 

Danielle Elliott of the Emergency Measures Organization stressed that snow accumulation and power outages can lead to an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. People should have carbon monoxide detectors inside their homes and make sure they don't use fuel sources indoors.

"If you want to cook or use power, don't use a generator in your home or your garage," she said.

"Don't barbecue or use any little propane fuelled stoves inside your home either."

Residents who know of seniors or anyone living alone are encouraged to check on them if they can, she said.

Be ready for CO: Here's how to keep your home safe

8 years ago

Duration 1:18

Two people died from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning after last week’s ice storm, and more than 30 others were sent to hospital with symptoms of poisoning.