New Brunswick — Strong winds that swept the province on Saturday have left roughly 11,000 customers without electricity, utility operator N.B. Power reported late Saturday afternoon.
Scope and timing of outages
The utility said the outages were recorded as of 4:30 p.m. Crews began responding to damage at about 8:30 a.m., and restoration times will vary according to the extent of local damage.
Most outages were the result of trees being blown into power lines during gusty conditions, N.B. Power said. The hardest-hit regions included Greater Moncton, Fredericton and the Kennebecasis Valley.
"Crews are in the field assessing damage and making repairs to restore power as quickly and safely as possible," N.B. Power spokesperson D'Arcy Walsh said in an email.
What residents should know
With a large number of customers affected, officials urged caution around downed lines and damaged trees. N.B. Power and local crews continue to prioritise safety while assessing which repairs will restore the most customers in the shortest time.
- Crews began responding to outages at about 8:30 a.m.
- Outage figures were current as of 4:30 p.m. Saturday
- Primary causes cited: trees falling into power lines
Local impact and recovery approach
Power interruptions of this scale can affect home heating, refrigeration, medical devices and communication. Restoration work typically follows an order of priority: first to critical infrastructure and services, then to areas where repairs will return power to the greatest number of customers, and finally to isolated single-customer interruptions.
N.B. Power said crews were conducting damage assessments in the field. The utility did not provide a detailed timeline for complete restoration on Saturday, noting that times depend on the extent of damage encountered on each circuit.
| Area | Report |
|---|---|
| Greater Moncton | Among hardest hit |
| Fredericton | Significant outages reported |
| Kennebecasis Valley | Noted as heavily affected |
How utilities typically respond
While the utility’s statement focused on the immediate steps under way, residents can expect systematic inspections of networks, vegetation crews addressing trees near lines and line crews replacing or repairing damaged poles and conductors. N.B. Power has mobilised field crews to assess and make repairs, the utility said.
Customers without power should check N.B. Power’s outage map and advisories for updates and estimated restoration times. The utility also often posts safety reminders and instructions for reporting outages through their official channels.
Advice for those affected
During outages, standard safety precautions apply: treat all downed wires as live, keep clear of damaged trees and poles, and use battery-powered lights rather than candles where possible. Those with medical needs that require electricity should contact local emergency services or health providers to determine options and supports available while power is out.
As crews work through assessments and repairs, the pace of restoration will depend on access, the number of damaged sites and weather conditions. N.B. Power reiterated its focus on both speed and safety as its teams conduct repairs across the province.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor updates from the utility and local authorities and will publish further information as it becomes available.
