Blackouts in Quebec blamed on freezing rain keeping hydro crews busy

MONTREAL — More than 37,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were still without electricity as of Wednesday afternoon due to freezing rain that caused ice-covered branches to snap and fall onto power lines.

The regions most affected were the Laurentians north of Montreal and communities south of the city and in western Quebec.

About 200 crews were on the ground, steadily re-establishing service.

As many as 66,000 clients had earlier been without power.