Canada

Widespread outages black out thousands in Muskoka, central Ontario

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A utility truck is pictured in this file image in Ramara Twp., Ont., on Fri., April 4, 2025. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

Thousands of Ontario residents are without power this weekend after widespread outages across central areas of the province.

Hydro One confirmed to CTV News the outages were caused by severe winds Friday evening that brought down trees onto electrical equipment.

Environment Canada reported wind gusts up to nearly 60 kilometres per hour at Muskoka Airport overnight.

According to Hydro One, here are the power restoration numbers for the following communities as of Saturday evening:

Bancroft

Customers Affected: 6,672

Customers Served: 27,815

Estimated Restoration: May 31, 2026, 11:00 PM

Number of Active Outages: 93

Bracebridge

Customers Affected: 303

Customers Served: 20,471

Estimated Restoration: May 31, 2026, 6:00 PM

Number of Active Outages: 15

Huntsville

Customers Affected: 5,249

Customers Served: 22,973

Estimated Restoration: May 31, 2026, 4:00 PM

Number of Active Outages: 99

Minden

Customers Affected: 624

Customers Served: 20,511

Estimated Restoration: May 31, 2026, 11:00 PM

Number of Active Outages: 25

Parry Sound

Customers Affected: 2,734

Customers Served: 18,563

Estimated Restoration: May 30, 2026, 11:00 PM

Number of Active Outages: 24

"Crews continue to respond to outages and will not stop until all our customers are restored," said Kaitlyn Forde, Hydro One spokesperson, in an email to CTV News. “In some areas, restoration times may be updated should crews uncover additional damage as repairs are being made.”

The utility provider reminds residents to report downed power lines and to avoid approaching them.

Generators should be used outside a household far away from windows or vents.