In an attempt to reconnect all Hydro-Québec subscribers as quickly as possible after the passage of the storm which shook several regions on Saturday, the state-owned company called for reinforcements.
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“We called on all the resources in Quebec that were available. 500 teams at work today, which represents around 1000 people and we also have contractors who have been mobilized. People who do not work for Hydro-Québec, but who were able to lend a hand. People in municipal circles and even teams from New Brunswick who came to help,” explained Maxime Huard-Lefebvre, spokesperson for Hydro-Québec.
24 hours after the violent storm, Hydro-Québec succeeded in reconnecting 50% of its customers who lost electricity.
“The storm cells hit the Outaouais first, then the Laurentians and then Lanaudière, so that’s a lot of places our teams have to visit,” he said.
In addition to the area of damage from the storm, the electricity supplier’s crews in Quebec are encountering several problems on the ground, which slows down their work.
“It is the trees on the ground that block the network and which have led to the poles. There are wires that we have to cut, clear before being able to make the repairs that are necessary (…) there are also breakdowns that are in more isolated regions where our trucks cannot go, “said the spokesperson.