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Power restored for thousands after severe thunderstorms, lighting strikes in Ottawa

Click to play video: 'Severe Ottawa thunderstorms, lighting strikes and hail leave 10,000 without power'
Severe Ottawa thunderstorms, lighting strikes and hail leave 10,000 without power
WATCH: Ottawa was hit by intense hail on Friday, with large fragments of ice falling in the capital after Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning, forecasting hail and winds up to 90 km per hour – Jul 29, 2023

Power was restored to thousands of Hydro Ottawa customers by Saturday evening after the National Capital Region was hit by a series of severe thunderstorms.

The utility initially reported about 4,600 customers were without power in Canada’s capital after pounding rain, lightning strikes and hail hit the city on Friday afternoon.

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By Saturday evening, fewer than 400 customers remained without power.

Hydro Ottawa says due to the extent of the damage from downed power lines and trees, it may take several days before power is restored to everyone.

The company says it is prioritizing issues that pose serious safety hazards, followed by restoring power to critical infrastructure such as emergency services, hospitals, water and sewage treatment plants, and schools.

Crews will then focus on repairs in larger neighbourhoods of customers, followed by smaller impacted areas.

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