Power outage prompts state of emergency in northern Ont. community

A state of emergency has been declared in a northern Ontario town after a widespread power outage with arctic temperatures around -45C.

A daylong power out affecting hundreds of people in the Hearst area is expected to continue until at least 1 a.m.

As a result, the Town of Hearst has declared a state of emergency until the outage ends. Details of emergency shelters and warming centres will be released soon, the town said.

People in need can go to Ecole catholique Ste-Anne at 619 Allen St., officials said.

More information can be found by calling the town hall at 1-705-362-4341.

Hydro One updated its outage map Monday evening, moving the estimated repair time from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.

More than 850 customers are without power during the coldest days and nights of the winter, with temperatures expected to dip below -40C.

“There is no good news to share -- the power outage is expected to last into this evening,” Hearst Power Distribution said on its Facebook page Monday afternoon.

“Early this afternoon, a Hydro One breaker on a different circuit broke while restoration to the central circuit was being tried. Therefore, this breaker needs to be replaced and further evaluation will be needed.”

“Hearst Power Distribution will be trying to make small adjustments within our own system to share power from areas where this is currently hydro,” the post added.

Hydro One’s outage map can be accessed here.

On social media Monday evening, Hydro One said it “appreciated” people’s patience while they worked on repairs.

“While patrolling our infrastructure to find the cause, our crews found two breakers that had malfunctioned at Hearst TS and are making repairs at this time,” the post said.

“The current estimated time of restoration is 1 a.m.”

Hearst Mayor Roger Seguin told CTV News that the power went out at 7 a.m. At first, Hydro One said power would be restored at 2 p.m., then 5 or 6 p.m., before saying it would be 1 a.m.

He’s frustrated that Hydro refused help from local utility staff, and only sent one repair crew from Timmins.

“At least they could work together,” Seguin told CTV’s Ian Campbell, in an interview from Toronto where he is attending a conference.

“Imagine the people’s frustration ... I’m not at all impressed by Hydro One.”

He encouraged people to stay off their cellphones to clear the lines for use by emergency workers.

And Ontario Provincial Police reminded residents not to use propane appliances or generators indoors.

“These devices can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, which is odourless and deadly,” police said.

“If you are unable to stay warm at home due to the outage, the Hearst OPP detachment is available as a warming centre.”