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Thousands without power in aftermath of Ontario ice storm

Click to play video: 'Is it really spring? Cleanup is on after Eastern ice storm'
Is it really spring? Cleanup is on after Eastern ice storm
WATCH: The cleanup effort is in full swing in parts of Ontario that were hammered by an ice storm. As Mike Drolet reports, many are hoping this is winter's last kick at the can – Mar 25, 2016

Thousands of households across southern Ontario are in the dark as high winds blow down frozen tree branches in the aftermath of an ice storm.

Hydro One reports more than 75,000 customers without power, largely in the areas of Woodstock, Guelph, Owen Sound, Caledon and Bradford.

READ MORE: Freezing rain causes blackouts in southern Ontario

The freezing rain that came down Thursday encased everything it touched in ice and left trees branches bending and breaking.

Click to play video: 'Freezing rain bends trees, brings down branches'
Freezing rain bends trees, brings down branches

As of Friday morning several thousand were without power in Barrie, and in New Tecumseth more than 11,000 had no electricity.

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WATCH: Barrie residents were hardest hit after freezing rain and wind snapped trees and downed power lines. Peter Kim reports.
Click to play video: 'Massive ice storm leaves over 100,000 in southern Ontario without power'
Massive ice storm leaves over 100,000 in southern Ontario without power

Toronto Hydro and utilities in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area reported no major outages.

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Toronto police are advising pedestrians to be careful for falling ice when walking near tall buildings.

Global News/Jason Scott

Pearson International airport says things are running normally but that travellers should still check their flight status ahead of time.

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Environment Canada said in a special weather statement that though the ice storm and freezing rain is done, winds of up to 50 km/h remain but should peter out by Friday afternoon.

Temperatures are set to rise and help melt the ice, while milder conditions are forecast for the weekend.

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