Freezing rain knocks out power across London, Ontario: Trees down, icy roads and safety risks

Freezing rain on Boxing Day triggered multiple power outages and hazardous conditions across London, Ontario and parts of southwestern Ontario, as ice accretion on trees and lines led to downed branches, blocked roads and localized blackouts. Local utilities and emergency crews reported working continuously through Friday afternoon and evening to restore service and clear debris, while Environment Canada warned of several millimetres of ice buildup and the likelihood of utility interruptions and injuries from slips and falls.

Power outages and utility response

London Hydro reported at least 40 separate outages on Friday afternoon, with disruptions scattered across multiple neighbourhoods as the freezing rain intensified. According to the utility’s outage map, affected areas included communities such as Masonville, Byron, Highland and Central London, with more than 500 customers initially reported without electricity and numbers fluctuating as new incidents occurred and others were restored.

Utility officials indicated that line and forestry crews were deployed to identify, isolate and repair damaged sections of the network. In many cases, tree limbs weighed down by ice came into contact with conductors, breaking lines or shorting circuits and requiring both vegetation management and electrical work before power could safely be restored. Residents were advised to monitor the online outage map for evolving restoration estimates and to report new outages or hazards such as sparking lines.

Freezing rain and ice buildup

Environment Canada issued freezing rain alerts for much of southwestern Ontario on Boxing Day as precipitation that began in the morning continued into the afternoon. The agency projected ice accumulation of 5 to 10 millimetres, with some areas also seeing ice pellets that made surfaces especially slick and dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.

The combination of freezing rain and ice pellets increased the weight on tree branches and overhead lines, creating ideal conditions for breakages and outages.

Weather authorities explicitly warned that “local utility outages are likely” under these conditions and highlighted an elevated risk of injuries caused by falls on untreated sidewalks, driveways and roadways.

Public safety warnings and resident guidance

Authorities repeatedly urged residents to treat the storm as a serious public safety event rather than a routine winter disturbance. Environment Canada cautioned that even thin ice accretion can be enough to make sidewalks and parking lots dangerously slick, and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel while freezing rain persisted.

London Hydro and local emergency officials stressed several safety points for households dealing with outages and storm damage:

• Stay well clear of any downed or low-hanging power lines and assume they are energized.
• Report electrical hazards and outages through official channels rather than attempting any DIY repairs.
• Use generators and alternative heat sources only in accordance with manufacturer instructions and never indoors, to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.