Updated at 3:45 a.m. Sat. Sept. 22, 2018
Hydro Ottawa is now reporting 110 outages, affecting 119,805 customers, down from 251 outages earlier.
Estimated time of power restoration for many areas is 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Still more areas do not yet have an estimated time of restoration. An up-to-date list of outages can be found here: https://hydroottawa.com/outages/info/outage-centre.
If you are dealing with an outage, Ottawa Public Health has some tips on how to determine what foods are still safe to consume, after your fridge or freezer has been without power.
Check out these #FoodSafety #factsheets to learn what you need to know during a #poweroutage - thanks @regionofpeel #ottawa #OttawaStorm #ottawatornado #ottnews pic.twitter.com/uaa36p9A1H
— Ottawa Public Health (@ottawahealth) September 22, 2018
An additional shelter for those in need in the Hunt Club and Riverside area has been set up at the Canterbury Recreation Centre at 2185 Arch St.
The City of Ottawa says 25 injuries were reported as a result of the storm, with six patients transported to hospital.
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Environment Canada has confirmed tornadoes in Dunrobin and Gatineau. Officials tell 580 CFRA it looks like the tornado took a 40km track from Kinburn to Gatineau, with the storm hitting speeds of 80-90 kilometres per hour.
Anthony DiMonte, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services for the City of Ottawa has told CTV Ottawa there are 30 reports of injuries across the city so far, including five reports of critical injuries in the Dunrobin area.
City councillor Eli El Chantiry says West Carleton High School is being used as a shelter for those in need in the Dunrobin area. The Red Cross, food trucks, police, and paramedics are all currently stationed there. They have showers there, and residents can stay overnight.
Residents in the Dunrobin area displaced by the suspected tornado can go to an emergency reception area at West Carleton High School, 3088 Dunrobin Road.
— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) September 22, 2018
If you are trying to get to the reception centre, 6th Line Rd and Vance Side Road are your best bet. https://t.co/SKiOjvhJRL
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) September 22, 2018
Currently there are more than 147,000 Hydro Ottawa customers, including homes and businesses are currently without power, in more than 251 separate outages. Hydro One is reporting 33 outages in the Ottawa area, affecting 4,467 customers. Hydro Ottawa says on Twitter, they understand concerns and frustrations throughout the city, and their crews are still working to assess th extent of the damage and establish a time frame for restoration. They say to treat downed power lines as live and dangerous, and advise staying 10 metres away, and calling 911 immediately.
Traffic disruptions continue throughout the city, due to the extensive power outages. City of Ottawa officials and Ottawa Police are asking residents to stay off the roads if they don't have to go out, in order to allow emergency crews to have the easiest access to those in need. Police say to expect delays if you are on the raod.
There are lots of road closures across the city - too many to list. If you encounter one, please be patient, we will get the road re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so. Best to stay off the roads if possible. #DriveSafe @OttFire @ottawacity
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) September 22, 2018
More than 3,000 customers are without power in Gatineau.
Mont Bleu high school in Gatineau has suffered extensive damage due to a massive fire seemingly caused by the storm.
Fire officials say they were called to the school at 389 Cite des Jeunes Polyvalente Mont Bleu just after 5:15 p.m. due to an alarm. It took them more than four hours to get the blaze under control, with a crew of more than 34 firefighters and 12 fire trucks. No one was injured, but the blaze caused more than $2.1M in damage to the school.
Gatineau Park has been closed until further notice.
Notes and anecdotes from 580 CFRA listeners:
-A caller near Greenback and Hunt Club says her neighbourhood was evacuated by Ottawa Fire due to the potential for a gas leak.
-There is a video on Twitter of a beagle being resuced from rubble in Dunrobin.
This is where Charlie was originally found. Obviously a very scared pup. pic.twitter.com/2qH9Z9Y80V
— Matt Day (@mattdaymedia) September 22, 2018
Call 580 CFRA at 613-738-7397 to report damage in your area. This story will be updated as more information comes in.