Winter Storm Causes School Closures and Power Outages in the Laurentides Region

A winter storm unexpectedly hit the Laurentides region, causing widespread school closures and power outages. The storm’s impact led to the closure of numerous educational institutions, disrupting the daily routine for many students.

Among the affected schools were CSS Rivière-du-Nord, which remained shut with no services or staff required to be on site. A decision regarding vocational training was pending until 1 PM. Similarly, CSS Laurentides suspended classes for elementary and secondary levels, while services for adults and professionals continued as normal.

Académie Lafontaine and Collège Laurentien also declared a full closure for the day, ensuring the safety of their students and staff.

As the storm intensified, power outages swept through neighborhoods in the Laurentides, plunging entire areas into darkness. The region bore the brunt of the disruptions, with Hydro-Québec grappling with heavy damages to its infrastructure.

By 6:30 AM, over 83,000 clients were left without electricity, marking the highest number of outages in the province. Municipalities from Rivière-du-Nord to Prévost, Saint-Jérôme, and Mirabel faced extensive blackouts, with Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs experiencing particularly challenging conditions.

Hydro-Québec cautioned residents that reconnection times might be prolonged due to the severity of the destruction. The utility provider emphasized the importance of avoiding fallen power lines for safety.

Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving situation in the Laurentides region and heed the advice of local authorities for your safety.