PEI

Power outages on P.E.I. caused by fallen trees, restoration underway

Maritime Electric is working to restore power to the 600 customers still without power by noon Tuesday, after a Thanksgiving windstorm knocked trees down on P.E.I.

Windstorm has kept Maritime Electric crews busy since Monday afternoon

Falling trees caused power outages across P.E.I. (Submitted by Erin Davis)

Maritime Electric has restored power to all but 600 customers on P.E.I. after thousands lost electricity during a Thanksgiving windstorm.

As many as 8,500 were without power during the night.

Maritime Electric has 17 crews out working to restore power caused by wind damage, a spokesperson said Tuesday at noon.

Morell Consolidated, Morell Regional and Southern Kings Consolidated schools are closed Tuesday. All other P.E.I. schools opened with  one hour delay.

The utility began reporting outages Monday afternoon. Environment Canada reported sustained winds as high as 60 km/h at Charlottetown Airport Monday, and gusts as strong as 85.

Crews were out overnight in Charlottetown cleaning up debris from the storm. (Richie Bulger/CBC)

The power was out in more than 100 communities across the province. Despite Maritime Electric having crews out overnight the number customers without power rose as trees continued to fall on lines.

RCMP are warning there are some power lines down across roads, and ask that drivers be wary of them.

Winds eased by early Tuesday morning.

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