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Ice Storm Leaves Over 390,000 in Ontario Without Power as Recovery Efforts Continue

Severe freezing rain caused widespread outages, hazardous conditions, and infrastructure damage across Ontario and parts of the U.S., with full power restoration expected to take days.

Ice covered trees branches are shown in Meaford, Ontario on Sunday March 30, 2025. More than 200,000 Ontarians are without power as this weekend's ice storm moves east, threatening parts of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Becky Holvik *MANDATORY CREDIT *
Ice is shown on the window of a car in Montreal, Sunday March 30, 2025, as several hours of freezing rain is forecasted for the area, possibly giving between 5 and 10 millimetres of ice accretion.
Bent tree limbs in Canada due to ice accretions on March 31, 2025

Overview

  • Over 390,000 customers in Ontario remain without power as of March 31, with Hydro One crews working to restore services after the weekend storm.
  • The ice storm caused significant ice accretion of up to 2.5 cm, resulting in downed trees, power lines, and hazardous travel conditions across affected regions.
  • States of emergency were declared in municipalities including Peterborough, Orillia, and Brock, with shelters providing charging stations, food, and warmth for residents without power.
  • Schools in several Ontario districts, including Simcoe Muskoka and Kawartha Pine Ridge, were closed due to unsafe conditions caused by the storm.
  • The storm is expected to move out of the region by the end of March 31, but freezing conditions may persist in some areas through April 1.