Caution tape marked the area for pedestrians and drivers due to downed power lines after a multi-day ice storm hit Peterborough, Ontario. (Photo: Will Pearson) As of Tuesday morning (April 1), tens of thousands of residents in Peterborough were still without electricity as the city worked to recover from the severe ice storm that caused significant damage over the weekend. A spokesperson from Hydro One reported that around 63,000 customers in both Peterborough city and county were affected by power outages on Tuesday morning. “Due to the extensive damage and severity of this storm, we anticipate that restoring power in the hardest-hit areas will take most of the week,” Tiziana Baccega Rosa mentioned in an email. The outage map from Hydro One displayed numerous outages affecting various neighborhoods throughout Peterborough on Tuesday. According to the map, some outages might not be resolved until Wednesday or later, while others had no estimated resolution time at all. During a 24-hour period over the weekend, the public works department in Peterborough received approximately 1,100 service calls and over 700 calls for assistance went to Peterborough Fire Services, based on a press release issued by the city on Sunday. In that same release, Mayor Jeff Leal expressed gratitude towards Hydro One and public works staff for “working tirelessly through this major weather event.”
A public works employee clears snow on a sidewalk along George Street on Sunday, March 30. (Photo: Will Pearson)
The city declared a state of emergency and set up several “reception centres” where residents without power could seek warmth and recharge their devices. These reception centres are located at three municipal facilities: Miskin Law Community Complex, Healthy Planet Arena, and Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.
Starting Monday, some transit buses were transformed into temporary warming stations. Buses are stationed “in areas with identified needs,” according to a press release from the city, including outside affordable apartment buildings managed by Peterborough Housing Corporation (PHC).
One bus was parked near the PHC building on Donegal Street where Carol Collins resides.
“The bus is here to keep us warm if it gets really cold because we have no heat,” Collins said on Monday afternoon. When Currents visited, only the driver was present inside an empty bus.
“We’re getting tired of being without power. We’re hungry,” remarked Collins while she sat outside in her wheelchair enjoying a cigarette. “There’s hardly anything to eat. Nothing’s open.”
She mentioned she hadn’t eaten since Saturday night except for “a couple of bites of a peanut butter sandwich.” She hoped one of her neighbors would bring her something for dinner.
Despite her building lacking power, she noted that the elevator was still working so she could move around with her wheelchair.
Power lines droop under ice weight connecting homes on Driscoll Terrace as seen on Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Photo: Will Pearson)
Travis Doak, CEO of PHC informed Currents that many buildings operated by PHC have emergency generator systems which functioned well during this outage. The warming buses were deployed “in cases where we are experiencing prolonged outages with no emergency generators,” he stated.
A warming bus was also stationed outside Jamie Fee’s residence at 526 Mc Donnel Street on Monday afternoon.
Fee lives with her three children in a basement apartment that’s quite dark. “It’s pitch black down there,” she shared.
This situation forced them to sleep together in their living room for warmth during the outage because it can get chilly down there. However tonight they planned to go stay at their grandma’s house near the hospital where there’s electricity available.
Fee expressed hope that power would return either Monday night or Tuesday morning but acknowledged that restoration estimates listed online by Hydro One had been updated multiple times already.
Having experienced last year’s derecho windstorm which led to widespread destruction across Peterborough made Fee better prepared this time around; she made sure to stock up on ice and candles when last week’s ice storm warnings began rolling out.
Doak mentioned that PHC staff conducted wellness checks for vulnerable individuals and relocated some into temporary housing options during this difficult time.
He assured there was no major damage sustained by any PHC properties during this storm but emphasized cleanup efforts will require weeks ahead.
Downed tree branches litter Fleming Park in downtown Peterborough as seen on March 30, 2025. (Photo: Will Pearson)
The city initiated shuttle services from downtown heading toward its reception centers starting Monday afternoon since regular transit services remained completely halted following Saturday’s storm events; partial service resumed late Monday afternoon.
Emma Stephenson waited across from City Hall hoping for her shuttle ride early Monday afternoon after enduring two nights bundled under five blankets trying hard not freezing since losing electrical access Saturday evening.
By then much nearby neighborhood appeared lit again yet unfortunately hers stayed dimly cold ; “I know they’re doing what they can but it’s frustrating when everyone else has light,” she commented.
With limited transportation options , making way even just towards any stores or restaurants still open proved challenging since Emma didn’t own vehicle.
On Sunday she’d considered taking transit somewhere simply grab food however learned upon reaching downtown terminal all services shut down completely leaving folks like herself stranded without updates.
“There wasn’t even like any notice posted anywhere stating buses canceled,” Stephenson added disappointedly; “You’d expect they’d realize people couldn’t check cell phones right now given service disruptions.”The city delayed offering shuttles till after noon whereas several warming centers opened early Sunday morning leaving people like Emma waiting longer than necessary before help arrived.
Tree branches blocked sidewalks along Harvey Street within Downtown until March thirty , twenty twenty-five.(Photo : Will Pearson)
Business thrived that day at Dreams Of Beans Café – among few eateries operating amid chaos caused nearby closures left packed all day catering patrons seeking food , Wi-Fi , warmth besides charging devices.
“I’ve never witnessed so many huddled around one outlet.” remarked café owner Andrew Mac Gregor expressing gratitude seeing community gather although wishing circumstances were less dire saying:” I wish we’d convene here casually instead sharing good moments together.”
The atmosphere felt calm within Trinity Community Centre as sunset approached Monday evening; several guests chatted away while ambient light dwindled gradually throughout former church hall’s windows casting shadows everywhere.
This center runned by One City serves dual purpose acting drop-in spot daytime alongside shelter overnight assisting homeless folks plus those facing marginalization issues further complicating matters today having relied solely battery-operated headlamps managing transition setups between cot arrangements nightly respectively tables used earlier today.
“The centre remains functional despite persistent lack electricity” wrote executive director Christian Harvey via text message earlier commenting how dedicated staff members showed creativity ensuring operations continue smoothly through hardships endured thus far… 
When Sioux Lily Dickson woke up Tuesday morning only discovering absence again regarding her household appliances functioning properly meant worrying about preserving medication required Crohn’s disease cold storage conditions essential life-saving needs indeed.”
“I realized I can’t care anything about my food. I need make sure this really expensive medication is cared for,” shared Sioux who lucked out finding friend willing keep prescription chilled fridge ensuring timely access throughout ordeal currently ongoing.”
Living within East City kept friends close allowing neighbor lend out generator providing heating comfort daily sustenance intake meanwhile another brought barbecue chicken recently cooked home-cooked meal blessings bestowed onto surrounding locals fostering community spirit through adversity faced altogether.”
SIOUX DICKSON:“In East City we’re fortunate enough uphold genuine neighborliness.” Acknowledged friendlessness isn’t universal reality adding concerns related how other disabled persons struggle find similar support networks collectively during emergencies.” “There are tons more individuals needing these resources unaware existing options available especially due lack transportation access while also restricted internet connectivity limiting knowledge surrounding available assistance programs provided overall.” Baccega Rosa stated crews restored over six hundred sixty-seven thousand people spanning regions affected during storms continuing relief efforts ongoing since past weekends’ disturbances encountered nevertheless challenges arose total number customers remaining offline statewide reached two hundred seventy-six thousand still left unserved midday hours approaching newly announced reports highlight obstacles faced due damaged infrastructure requiring repair work extending timelines effectively postponing progress expected recovery timeline accordingly.* & · ● ● ●● ⚡⚡ ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ ⚠️⚠️*** ∞ ∞ ×∞×× ×• •❄⏳* *≈≈*⌛* ⠀ ▾≪ ▸ ▼ 🔋🔌 📦🔋📦💻📱🕶️🔌🔋 【 🚫⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𐍉🐈🥖🙈🌭✨🌊🍰⏳🔥🍯🥘❣》»́̒⬜⮪🏹》͙😸👌🏽🎺†♪✧✨🎊≬½≬✳☑¥©®▓➼✯╴∓⤷⊗∞⅔≤` </div>
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