Wind storm knocks out power to customers in Ottawa, eastern Ontario
The power is back on for thousands of customers in Ottawa and across eastern Ontario, after strong winds caused by a cold front knocked out power across the region.
Environment Canada had issued a wind warning for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario, calling for westerly winds gusting to 90 km/h Saturday afternoon in the wake of a strong cold front. The wind warning ended just after 4 p.m.
"The wind is too dangerous, I don't like it," Kham Phong said on Saturday.
"I'm not going to stay out here because I don't want trees to fall down on my head. So scary!"
Hydro Ottawa reported approximately 9,000 customers were without power in different pockets of the city. Power was restored to most customers by 7 p.m.
The largest outage was in an area spanning from Osgoode to Riverside South-Findlay Creek and Gloucester-Southgate. Hydro Ottawa said a hydro pole fire knocked out power to 8,200 customers.
Smaller outages were reported in the College/Knoxdale-Merivale area, Alta Vista and in Ottawa's west end.
As of 6:40 p.m., small pockets of eastern Ontario were still without power. The largest outage was in the Sharbot Lake area, with approximately 1,000 customers without power.
An open air fire ban is in effect for the city of Ottawa.
OTTAWA FORECAST
Showers and flurries ending this evening then partly cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of flurries. Low minus 7 C, with the wind chill making it feel like minus 12 overnight.
Sunday’s outlook is mainly cloudy with a high of plus 1 C.
Monday’s looking sunny with a high of 5 C.
A mix of showers and flurries is in Tuesday’s forecast. High 4 C.
Wednesday could see a bit of sunshine.
MAYOR'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The city of Ottawa says the Mayor's 20th Christmas Celebration scheduled for Saturday will be postponed because of the weather forecast.
"Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for winds gusting up to 70 and 80 km/h – which can pose safety risks for all visitors and participants," the city said in a statement.
The Mayor's Christmas Celebration has been rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 10.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Documents reveal Canada praised Haitian sanctioned over alleged gangland connections
A Canadian diplomat and an RCMP officer heaped praise and gratitude on a sanctioned Haitian businessman that Global Affairs accuses of gangland connections, after he allowed a helicopter airlift of Canadian citizens and police at his luxury golf course last month, emails provided by his lawyers suggest.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Minister said 'hundreds' of Canadians might use Gaza visa. More than 7,500 applied.
An immigration lawyer in Toronto says new figures from the federal government show just how 'grudging' Ottawa's efforts have been to rescue Canadians' family members from the war in the Gaza Strip.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.