Over 670K without power, 1 dead following Quebec ice storm

Over 670,000 clients are still experiencing power outages in Quebec Friday morning after Wednesday’s fierce ice storm, which knocked down tree branches that left one man dead.

Hydro-Quebec says they restored power to 200,000 customers overnight, and it hopes to double that by the end of the day.

A mix of freezing rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday sent ice-covered tree branches crashing onto power lines, cars and streets across southern Quebec.

Police say a man in his 60s died Thursday morning when he was crushed by a tree branch while trying to cut down branches on his property in Montreal.

READ MORE: Over a million without power following heavy storms in Ontario, Quebec

Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon called the situation a crisis.

Transport Quebec says poor conditions forced it to close the Victoria Bridge, which is an essential route that connects Montreal with its southern suburbs.

A travel advisory was issued by Via Ria, stating that power outages and track obstructions caused delays and cancellations in the Montreal-Toronto corridor.

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