Thousands without power in N.B. after wet, heavy snowfall overnight
The recent snowstorm in New Brunswick has caused widespread power outages and school closures across the province. As of 11:30 a.m. on Friday, over 31,000 N.B. Power customers were without electricity, with the highest numbers seen in the greater Fredericton and Oromocto areas. While this number has decreased from earlier in the day, many customers are still waiting for power to be restored, as most outages listed on the website do not have estimated end times.
D’Arcy Walsh, spokesperson for N.B. Power, explained that the storm brought wet, heavy snow which led to trees coming into contact with power lines. Crews are currently assessing the damage and working to restore power, although road conditions are hindering their progress in some areas. Walsh assured that work will continue as long as conditions remain safe.
The severe weather conditions have also led to school closures in various districts. In Anglophone West, schools in zones two to nine, which include Fredericton, remained closed due to poor road conditions. Anglophone East schools opened at their regular time but experienced bus delays. Anglophone South K-8 students had a planned day off, while high schools operated with bus delays. Anglophone North closed schools in the Rexton, Miramichi, and Bathurst areas, but schools in Campbellton and Dalhousie remained open.
In Francophone South, closures were reported in Fredericton, Oromocto, Miramichi, Richibucto, Rogersville, Baie-Sainte-Anne, and Saint-Louis-de-Kent. Francophone Northeast saw closures in the Chaleur region and Acadian Peninsula. The New Brunswick 511 reported difficult driving conditions with snow-covered roads and reduced visibility in central and northern parts of the province.
Despite the challenging conditions, the Fredericton Police Force noted that there were no major accidents or road issues reported on Friday morning. However, drivers are urged to exercise caution while navigating the snowy roads. Stay updated on the latest closures and road conditions through official district websites and the New Brunswick 511 platform.
