Beavers chop down tree, cause power outage in central Manitoba

WINNIPEG — Power outages aren’t out of the ordinary but rarely are they caused by some of Canada’s most iconic animals.

Manitoba Hydro reported that over 300 customers in central Manitoba and in the Interlake, including Matheson Island, Pine Dock and the fittingly named Beaver Creek, all experienced power outages on Saturday evening.

The crown corporation said beavers were to blame; the buck-toothed rodents reportedly chewed through a tree, that fell onto a power line, knocking it out.

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Service was soon restored to those areas by 4 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Crews were also working on restoring power to parts of Westman, after severe thunderstorms passed through the area on Saturday evening. According to Environment Canada, winds picked up to 90 km/h and led to trees and lines being affected.