Over 30% of Pontiac’s population still without power at Easter: Jane Toller talks about the many communications problems
Over 30% of Pontiac’s population still without power at Easter: Jane Toller talks about the many communications problems
Even if the number of Hydro-Québec customers without electricity is decreasing in the Pontiac, the 3,950 (update at 7:30 a.m. on April 9), this number represents more than 30% of the population of the MRC Pontiac in this Easter day. It is especially in Clarendon (599), Bristol (854) and Thorne (594) that the reductions in power outages have been felt in the last few hours. These municipalities, along with Otter Lake (1,272) and Litchfield (270), continue to be the hardest hit. At 6:30 a.m. this morning, the five municipalities still suffering the repercussions of last Wednesday’s freezing rain had 3,567 customers without electricity. It should also be noted that several residents of L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet still do not have power as well, 174 customers out of 582.
Via her Facebook account, the Warden of the MRC Pontiac, Jane Toller, invited citizens to call her personally. (Reprinted in full from Jane Toller’s Facebook post.
“On Thursday and Friday I have worked at the MRC with the mayors, DG,HQ,SQ and Public Security.As of Friday night we had made some progress but we still had 43% of residents who were without power or dependent on generators. Friday I was able to request that the Pontiac Hospital and some of our grocery stores were given priority. Friday, Campbell’s Bay and the West end of Shawville were reconnected. There are so many trees and branches which have had an impact. Also today we had more hydro teams working in the Pontiac. As other parts of Quebec are reconnected the teams are coming to the Outaouais.As if this morning-Des Collines was worst, then the City of Gatineau snd then the Pontiac.As you know the emergency line to report outages is 18442895005 or please feel free to call me at 8196478198.I hope and pray that we will see many more people connected by tomorrow night. HQ have assured me that they will not leave the zpontiac until we all have power. I am particularly concerned about Otter Lake, Litchfield, Thorne, Bristol, Shawville, Bryson and Clarendon. In the case of Grand Calumet there had been repair and then high winds on Friday caused further damage.Many residents have had to spend their Eaoweekend without power and heat.You have been more than patient.If anyone needs to use a shower or or needs to have a hotel room there is space at Spruceholme Inn. Just call my cell.There have been many suggestions after this catastrophic event- one us to bury the hydro lines , another to ensure there are adequate people to fix this in a good time frame which in our case could mean deploying staff from Ontario with Hydro One, or st least to partner with private companies who are trained to do this work.The fact that there are 4 Phases- urgent, strategic, critical snd then homes and businesses makes the delay longer.The communication was challenging with residents with no internet, cellular and land- lines. The updated information from Hydro Quebec was not always accurate.In the end this has been a tough experience but I am very proud of our residents who helped each other and have been extremely patient and understanding.I also want to thank the fire service in particular for checking on people and our health care workers and paramedics and municipal workers.Our mayors have been working tirelessly.Hydro Quebec have had an enormous challenge and they have done their best. This Easter weekend many plans were changed and hopefully all power will be restored asap even to the hard to get to areas. You are in my prayers snd I wish you all the best Easter possible! ” – Jane Toller
